Westport, Conn. (January 30, 2008) — Save the Children, which works to improve the health, nutrition and well-being of children around the world, applauds President Bush's commitment to lead the fight against global hunger, as outlined in his State of the Union address on Monday. 

"Save the Children supports innovations in food-aid programs, including the President's proposal to allow for the local purchase of food in least-developed countries," said Charles F. MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children. "Purchasing food directly from farmers in the developing world can help build local agricultural markets and would be an effective tool to help break the cycle of famine in these countries."

More than 840 million people — about one-sixth of the population of the world's developing nations — are malnourished. Over 200 million of those who will go hungry today are children.

Save the Children implements hunger and malnutrition programs in 18 developing countries as well as provides lifesaving food and water to children and families after natural or manmade disasters.