Global: Food relief ‘not cost-effective’

Sending aid in the form of food is generally a very inefficient way of providing international assistance, a study has found. A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found it costs on average 30% more than providing money to buy food. This can be done either locally or in an appropriate third country. The USA and EU produce more food than their citizens need. In Africa, meanwhile, children are starving. Using the surpluses to feed the hungry seems simple good sense. But this study reveals direct food transfers as slow, cumbersome and expensive - an inefficient way of getting the right food to the right place at the right time.