Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Reuters NewMedia - December 23, 2004

An administration official said an interagency review has been launched to "determine what additional needs there might be, and what resources might be redirected to address those needs."

"We're trying to move as quickly as possible. We'll look at whatever is available," said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Congress approved $1.2 billion for food aid in 2005 but humanitarian groups that distribute U.S. food aid said it was only two-thirds of what is needed and less than the amount appropriated last year.

The groups stepped up pressure on the Bush administration this week, warning that they may be forced to cut back or shut down some aid programs in poor countries.

Catholic Relief Services estimated that at least $650 million more would be needed to help offset the new emergency needs this fiscal year.

The group's president, Ken Hackett, said: "We are faced with decisions to choose one vulnerable group over another, whether to stop a school-feeding program for orphans or a supplemental nutrition program for HIV-infected mothers."

Administration officials acknowledged there may be a shortfall next year in funding.

They say unusually high demands for food aid, due to bad weather, civil unrest and other problems around the globe, have strained U.S. resources.

Bush administration officials said they had little choice but to redirect limited food aid resources to emergency programs, like the one in crisis-hit Darfur.

"Development food aid is very important," an administration official said. "But when it's the difference between life and death, (emergency food aid) has to be our first priority."

Administration officials said it was unclear how much extra funding would be needed and where it would come from.

President Bush could redirect funding from other aid programs, or tap into a government-owned grain reserve.

Bush could also include additional food aid in next year's $80-billion-plus funding package for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The interagency review for additional resources is being spearheaded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Agriculture Department and the White House Office of Management and Budget, officials said.

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