Monday saw the beginning of the two-day UN food summit, held in Madrid, where top officials from countries and institutions like the World Bank gathered to discuss the global food crisis. The summit was an opportunity to strategize about addressing the food crisis – particularly for poor countries – as the excerpts below describe.

ONE’s Eloise Todd was at the summit, and will be reporting about the outcomes shortly on the blog.

Excerpts below, full article here

World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is leading a delegation to the two-day meeting starting on Monday, said more resources and attention are needed to help the poor.

“Food prices are now volatile and that factor, combined with the impact of the financial crisis, only serves to heighten the challenges confronting the developing world,” Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement.

“We expect high price volatility to continue and it will hit the poorest the most, as they spend half their income on food. More needs to be done as we must ensure those who are vulnerable get the assistance they need.”

Okonjo-Iweala said while food prices have fallen they are are still higher than, say, just three years ago. And in some countries, prices have not fallen as sharply as in others.

-Beth Adler