In this opinion piece in the Kansas City Star’s “As I See It,” Nancy Lindborg, USAID assistant administrator for democracy, conflict and humanitarian assistance and a guest speaker at this week’s International Food Aid and Development Conference in Kansas City, discusses food aid and highlights USAID’s response to last year’s food crisis in the Horn of Africa. She writes, “None of this would have been possible without the hard work and generosity of the American public, and especially the farmers, manufacturers and shippers that I am honored to meet with again this week in Kansas City.”

“As we gather this year in Kansas City, a new drought is pushing millions into crisis on the other side of Africa, in the dry lands that stretch from Senegal to Chad,” she continues, adding, “As Americans, we have an enduring commitment to responding to crises and helping those in need.” She concludes, “For the last 50 years, millions of people around the world have been nourished by bags of food from the American people during their toughest times. As crises continue, we will continue to respond” (5/8).