DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

The European Union has proposed a €1 billion fund to help poor countries cope with the global food crisis. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the two-year emergency fund aimed to help mostly African nations and stabilise supply markets. If approved by EU governments and the European Parliament, it will provide cash to boost agricultural production in countries hit hardest by current shortages. Assistance will be channelled to countries most severely affected by the crisis through United Nations agencies.