Oxfam America

The Time is Now

How world leaders should respond to the food price crisis

Briefing Note

Published: June 2008

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Publication Summary

Global food prices are up 83 per cent compared with three years ago. The resulting food price crisis constitutes an unprecedented threat to the livelihoods and well-being of millions of rural and urban households who are net food buyers. Around the world, Oxfam International and many of its partners have seen soaring prices force people to eat less food or less nutritious food and drive poor households to cut back on health care, education, and other necessities. In a report published ahead of an emergency UN Food Summit in Rome, Oxfam lays out a plan for short and long-term responses to the crisis.