Soaring food prices and the rural poor
The prices of basic food commodities have increased rapidly over the past three years. The threat to food security in developing countries increases in stride. 
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns that "the rapidly escalating crisis of food availability around the world has reached emergency proportions." "Responding effectively to the impact of higher food prices must be a top priority for the global community, particularly when the impact is combined with the projected effects of climate change", says Lennart Båge, IFAD's President.
IFAD has gathered information from its partners and staff on the ground on the impact of rising food prices on poor rural people. Read the synthesis of responses received from 40 countries. | High food prices: Impact and recommendations

President's corner

Investment is key to battling hunger, an article by the President as published in Arab Times, Kuwait

Global Donor Platform for Rural Development interviews President Båge on rising food prices

Interview with President Båge by BBC World News on rising food prices
Watch interview: QuickTime | Windows MediaPlayer

President Båge's statement to the 77th meeting of the Development Committee

“The new face of hunger”, an article by the Economist on rising global food prices with President Båge as one interviewee.

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Strategic partnerships breathe life and hope into an impoverished community in Brazil
In the semi-arid northeast of Brazil, the IFAD-supported Dom Helder Camara project works with local governments, farmers’ organizations, civil society associations and state companies to improve poor people’s living conditions. Together they have brought safe water to communities, opened new markets for their farm products, trained young people and adults, and helped women obtain identity documents.
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Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility
The Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility invites applications from indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities, as well as organizations that work with them, for grants to fund projects, innovative approaches and partnerships that promote the development of indigenous peoples and help them fulfil their aspirations.
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Financing Facility for Remittances
Through its US$13 million Financing Facility for Remittances (FFR), this multi-donor fund aims to reduce rural poverty and promote development. The facility will increase economic opportunities for the rural poor through the support and development of international and domestic remittance services that are innovative, cost-effective and easily accessible, for countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean and the Near East.
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