"We are pleased that the U.S. supports and has pushed for accounting mechanisms to measure G8 country progress in the area of health. U.S. international relief and development organizations have pushed for such measures for the last few years and although we are happy that the pendulum is moving in the right direction, it is moving very slowly and doesn't have as broad of a reach as it should have.

Ending global poverty requires more precise measures across all commitments. For example, regarding the global food crisis -- we are concerned that the response of the G8 is still not of the same order as the magnitude of the crisis.

We work very closely with multilateral organizations like the World Bank on critical issues such as the food crisis, and will continue to push them and the U.S. government to reach policy decisions that are both realistic and effective."

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InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Our 168 members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life.

Access InterAction's G8 Blog -- NGO Report:G8 at: http://blogs.interaction.org/g8/.