Saudi Arabia gives 500 million dollars to world food appeal

Saudi Arabia has donated half a billion dollars (317 million euros) to a UN World Food Programme appeal to battle the global food price crisis, helping it reach a 755 million dollar goal, the WFP said Friday.

“The World Food Programme has met its extraordinary call for 755 million dollars to compensate for the increased costs of food and fuel with a 500 million dollar donation from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said a statement.

The WFP, which operates in 78 countries and helps feed an estimated 73 million people, launched the 755 million dollar emergency appeal in March. It said 31 countries had given 460 million dollars before the Saudi donation came in on Thursday.

The agency said “high food prices represent the biggest challenge that WFP has faced in its 45-year history with about 130 million being pushed into hunger.”