On April 23, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved, by voice vote, the Global Food Security Act (H.R. 1567).
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) would authorize a strategic approach for US foreign assistance to developing countries to reduce global poverty and hunger among women and children, increase the productivity, income, and livelihoods of small producers, including women farmers, and build resilience to food shortages among vulnerable populations and households, and reduce reliance upon emergency food assistance.
Specifically, the legislation would improve the nutritional status of women and children, align with and leverage broader United States strategies and investments in, among other things, maternal and child health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene, and strengthen partnerships between US-based universities and institutions in developing countries to build agricultural capacity.
