Yemen Donation Totals 177,000 Tons

April 6, 2000

USDA will donate up to 177,000 tons of agricultural commodities to Yemen. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman signed a Section 416 (b) agreement during a meeting with Ali Abdulla Saleh, president of Yemen.

Glickman said the food assistance "will help the people of Yemen by promoting economic development and agricultural market reform." The commodities will be sold in commercial channels in Yemen and the proceeds used to finance socially related development projects to alleviate poverty, promote economic and agricultural development, improve health and education and create jobs through infrastructure projects.

The agreement provides for donation of wheat and flour, soybean meal, rice and nonfat dry milk as well as related ocean transportation costs. USDA is consulting with other donors, as required under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization protocols.

Under the Section 416 (b) program, USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation donates commodities to friendly and developing countries. Donated commodities are provided from surplus USDA stocks acquired from farmers. The supply period for the Yemen donation is the current fiscal year.