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WASHINGTON (June 19, 2013) – NGO alliance InterAction released the following statement on Amendment No. 55 to H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM Act), which was defeated 220 to 203 in a House of Representatives vote.“We are deeply disappointed that the House of Representatives failed to pass this amendment and make common-sense improvements to our international food aid system,” said Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction. “This was a missed opportunity that has consequences for families in crises now and in the future. The reforms proposed would have enabled us to better respond in a crisis, when what matters most is helping people who are suffering.  This amendment was needed now more than ever, when more people are displaced from their homes than at any other time in the past 18 years.“Despite this setback, we will continue to fight for food aid reform, which in only a few months has become a top congressional priority with bipartisan support. We look forward to working with Congresson this, and thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their leadership.”The amendment was introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY). This bipartisan amendment would have made common-sense reforms that would have provided much needed flexibility to the Food for Peace program, which has helped feed more than 3 billion people in more than 150 countries over the last 60 years. 

In this joint letter, leading U.S. NGOs urge Members of Congress to vote "yes" on the Royce-Engel Food Aid Reform Amendment #55 to the House farm bill. The letter is signed by 30 humanitarian and advocacy NGOs. The bipartisan amendment updates the Food for Peace program to provide greater flexibility and help more people with overseas food assistance without spending any additional U.S. taxpayer dollars, according to the letter.

The G8’s confirmation that the Geneva II peace conference will definitely go ahead is finally some good news for Syria’s children, says aid agency World Vision.“These talks represent the best chance Syria’s children have had in more than two years for a future free from fear and violence,” said Anita Delhaas-van Dijk, World Vision’s National Director in Lebanon. "Including all relevant parties, however, is vital so the G8 pledge is a welcome first step, and we hope they can use their collective influence to bring all parties to the table in Geneva.”