S. 185 - AFRICAN FAMINE RELIEF ACT OF 2003

Introduced into the Senate January 16, 2003 by Mr. Tom Daschle (D-SD)
Co-sponsors: Mr. Leahy (D-VT), Mr. Dodd (D-CT), Mr. Biden (D-DE) and Mr. Kerry (D-MA).

This bill looks to help countries of sub-Saharan Africa deal with the humanitarian crisis by appropriating additional funds, helping to fund NGOs that already help in the region as well as urge for the setting up of a task force to examine the roots of the crisis and give suggestions as to help the United States could provide. Specifically the following is suggested to combat the humanitarian crisis in sub-Saharan Africa

• An additional $600,000,000 would be made available for an emergency assistance program

• $ 200,000,000 would be appropriated for the use of relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 An additional $600,000,000 would be made available for an emergency assistance program

• $100,000,000 would be appropriated for the use of grants to NGOs to further activities that prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV by providing treatment, medical care and support services to HIV parents and their children

• urge the President to set up a task force to review the long term consequences of the humanitarian crisis and ways in which the United States may be able to help in solving the problems which created the crisis: food insecurity and governmental corruption

Visit THOMAS to look up Bill Text, Summary and Status