Nov.

29, 2012

www.interaction.org

Contacts: Sue Pleming: 202.552.6561 or 202.341.3814 (Cell) or spleming@interaction.org Jeanne Paradis: 202.552.6535 or 202.297.1696 (Cell) or jparadis@interaction.org

U.S. government recognizes civil society as key actor in tackling global hunger
WASHINGTON (Nov. 29, 2012) NGO alliance InterAction commends the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for convening a hearing yesterday on the progress and future of U.S. food security and agricultural development policy and for recognizing the critical role of NGOs and local civil society organizations in tackling global hunger. InterAction was particularly encouraged by comments from Senators Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Robert Casey (D-PA) on the importance of improving U.S. government engagement, coordination and consultation with civil society organizations. Tjada McKenna, deputy coordinator for development for Feed the Future program at USAID, also highlighted the role of civil society. Civil society organizations in donor and partner countries bring a wealth of ideas, energy and resources to the fight against global food insecurity and undernutrition and are critical to the success of Feed the Future, said McKenna in her opening testimony. Their work complements the work of governments, multilateral organizations, and the private sector including program implementation, product delivery, advocacy, education, and even funding. Jonathan Shrier, acting special representative for global food security and deputy coordinator for diplomacy for Feed the Future at the State Department, also emphasized the crucial role of civil society in fighting global hunger. We understand that to end world hunger we need the collective efforts of governments, donors, institutions, businesses, and, in particular, civil society, Shrier said. Sen. Cardin, McKenna and Shrier also stressed the significance of InterActions $1 billion food security pledge. In a massive attempt to tackle global hunger, leading U.S.-based international NGOs will spend more than $1 billion in private funds over the next three years on agriculture, food and nutrition programs. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and InterAction announced this pledge at an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. InterActions members are at the forefront of the global fight against hunger and poor nutrition. They work alongside local communities to help people become more self-sufficient. Their efforts complement U.S. government programs, such as Feed the Future, said Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction. Im pleased the U.S. Senate has focused on the important role U.S. NGOs can play in successfully addressing food insecurity across the world. InterAction applauds the continued bipartisan leadership on the issue of food security in Congress and commends the Obama administration for its global leadership on fighting hunger and undernutrition. This afternoon, InterAction will host the U.S. government Feed the Future interagency team for a briefing on the recently released Feed the Future progress report and scorecard. InterAction looks forward to a continuing dialogue with the Obama administration and Congress to better leverage our community in partnership with the U.S. government, particularly in food security programs, said Worthington. **************************************************************************************************************
InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org.
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