Republican Senator Calls For More Aid To Middle East And North Africa

When most of his colleagues are keen on reducing U.S. international affairs budget, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) feels that the United States should give more aid to North African and Middle Eastern countries that are currently undergoing political transition.



Sen. Graham, who was speaking before the Columbia Rotary Club in South Carolina said, “Foreign aid is a very complicated, controversial topic, particularly when you’re broke. But … it is good for the American people and the American government to reach out and help those who live in peace with us.”



Unlike the majority of Republican members of the U.S. Congress, particularly those in the House of Representatives, Sen. Graham, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on State, foreign operations and related programs, appears to be one of few Republicans who support an increase in U.S. foreign aid spending. Recently he said that he is preparing a reform legislation that would provide $1 billion worth of U.S. aid to Egypt.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

Enriched Vegetable Oil Improves Lives

Many nations have a particular crop or product that it a symbol of their health, growth, and prosperity and remains an integral part of their society. For many nations, it is bread. For others, corn. During my time in China I quickly learned that rice (or noodles, depending on where you were) was not simply a meal but rather, for many families, it was the staple of their food consumption. Every lunch and dinner somehow incorporated rice into the meal and their culture reflected their reverence and appreciation for the crop.

In Egypt, that admiration is not reserved for a crop, per se, but an oil. Vegetable oil. As an important, cheap ingredient, vegetable oil allows families to prepare a variety of dishes from simple starches. However, in a country where half of the children are anaemic due to lack of vegetables and fruits, government officials have begun looking for ways to supplement nutrition without raising food prices.

Recently, the Egyptian government began distributing vegetable oil enriched with vitamin A and D. By choosing a staple product that Egyptian families already heavily use, they are able to solve the nutritional problems without dramatically changing the food culture of Egyptian society. This new oil is expected to reach over 60,000,000 people and should significantly increase the health of Egyptian Children.

Delicious and nutritious. Now that's some food for thought.

-Corey Cox

SOURCE: World Food Programme