World Bank: Food prices create $6bn shortfall

The head of the World Bank says poor countries will need some $6 billion in food aid every year because of rising food prices.

Robert Zoellick says he expects food prices to stay above 2004 levels at least through 2012. He says energy prices also will remain high and volatile.

Zoellick says the World Food Program, which feeds the world's hungry, requires $6 billion. But this year an additional $3.5 billion is needed for short-term safety net projects in 50 countries.

Zoellick is in Amsterdam Saturday to attend a conference on how the World Bank needs to adapt to a changing world. He says that, for example, the bank needs to pay more attention to cross-border projects rather than focusing on individual states

[AP]