* U.S. Government must move emergency funds quickly, replenish existing reserves * World Vision preparing to scale up assistance in hard-hit developing nations

Washington, D.C., May 2, 2008 - World Vision welcomes the Bush Administration's proposal to boost hunger assistance funding by $770 million in the next fiscal year, as a sign of leadership and commitment amid a global crisis driven by spiraling food prices.

The international Christian humanitarian organization World Vision partners with the World Food Programme and the U.S. government to provide food aid to millions of people in more than 30 countries, while also working with communities on long-term solutions such as farming assistance and establishing food security. The soaring cost of food outpacing donor-nation funding is causing a drop in the number of people it is able to supply with food aid this year.

"This Administration deserves credit for responding to the current global food crisis in a significant way, while aiming to ensure improved efficiency, flexibility and quality of U.S. programs to help the poor from going hungry amid the current food crisis," said Robert Zachritz, director of advocacy and government relations for World Vision in the U.S.

"More still needs to be done in this fiscal year, however. We continue to call on Congress to quickly approve an emergency supplemental budget of $600 million for its core food aid programs for immediate assistance, and $100 million to replenish the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust, which the President has already tapped to serve emergency needs.

"We are pleased that the Administration's response recognizes the need for both short and long-term solutions. Emergency food aid is a short-term answer, while developmental food aid provides sustainable solutions.

"The proposed investment in development will help address root causes of global hunger - such programs are key to preventing the need for costly future emergency assistance. They ultimately help communities achieve sustainable food security, helping lift many out of hunger and reducing long-term dependence on aid," Zachritz said.

World Vision endorses the proposal that Congress designate funding for programs to develop and ensure food security over the long term, as well as start a pilot program to test increased use of local cash purchase of food aid abroad.

More than 850 million people worldwide lack enough to eat, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization. The U.S. is the largest national donor of food and hunger assistance. # # # To schedule an interview with Robert Zachritz, contact Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz at +1.202.572.6302 or gryerson@worldvision.org