UCA News
Contribute

Food banks aim to combat price rises

Regional cooperation group mulls using existing stocks to ease burden on poor
Food banks aim to combat price rises
The prices of staple foods such as rice are continuing to rise in Bangladesh. (Chandan Robert Rebeiro)
Published: May 14, 2012 09:40 AM GMT
Updated: May 14, 2012 09:43 AM GMT

South Asian leaders and officials are mulling the use of regional food bank stocks as the volatility of food prices is causing the poor to suffer. “Such a move could help stabilize food prices in the region,” Bangladesh Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque said at the start of a special meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation’s (SAARC) Food Bank board  in Dhaka yesterday. He said no South Asian nation is able to ensure food security, and so cooperation within the region is imperative in order to tackle food shortages during disasters and to stabilize food prices. The meeting was chaired by Bangladesh’s food secretary Barun Dev Mitra and attended by officials from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan. Up to now, the bank’s policy has been to use the food stocks in cases of natural disasters or in the event of poor crop yields. “We discussed the issue and will decide after analyzing detailed data on food production, consumption and the imports and exports of SAARC countries,” said Elahi Dad Khan, director of the Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Food. The SAARC Food Bank, which was established in 2007, now has food stocks of about 486,000 tons. Related stories: Food crisis hits hill tribesAcademics see EU as model for cooperation

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia