Food shortage crisis

The World Food Program's call on Monday to donor countries to act with the sound of the world's stomach growling in their ears should be responded to immediately.

World grain reserves are at their lowest levels since records were first kept back in 1960.

The United Nations food agency, the world's main provider of food aid, warned that it would soon have to start deliveries unless donor countries were as generous as possible by May 1. They are being asked to help close a gap of $500 million.