• Rising pricesof basic foods

  IN THE course of a few weeks world rice prices have increased from $580 to $850 a tonne and over the last year more than doubled. Three billion poor people depend on rice as a staple food, often spending 50-70 per cent of their income on it. This year for the first time 50 per cent of the world's population is urban. p
  

• Protecting the poor

  A LARGE increase in food prices here in Ireland has pushed many vulnerable families back into acute poverty. The situation is being aggravated by rising fuel costs. At the same time, while the economy slows and tax revenues decline, public services are coming under pressure and necessary supports are being withheld. The traditional pattern of crude Government belt-tightening that effects the most needy is again being played out. p
  

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