The International Monetary Fund logo is seen in front of the main building during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, the United States, April 20, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
WASHINGTON, April 20 – The International Monetary Fund stands ready to provide emergency financing to help vulnerable countries facing food security challenges or provide additional funds under existing lending programs, a senior IMF official said on Wednesday.
Vitor Gaspar, director of the IMF’s financial affairs department, told a news conference that food security is a critical issue at this week’s meetings of members of the IMF and World Bank, as some nations need additional funding, particularly those already with facing debt problems.
“If a country already has a program with the fund, additional funding related to food security priorities can be considered, and if such a program does not exist or the country does not want to use this channel for any reason, there is an opportunity Emergency funding is also open to this type of situation,” he said.
Reporting by Andrea Schalal