Washington, DC – A new foreign aid program was implemented to help sixteen of the world’s poorest countries. The name of the foreign aid is known as The Millennium Challenge Account and Bread for the World, a Christian anti-hunger advocacy organization, played the major role in implementing the program by organizing letter-writing campaigns in their local churches across the nation to support the authorization of a poverty-focused MCA.

The countries that are now eligible for the aid are Armenia, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu. The MCC’s board chose these countries based on their demonstrated commitment to good governance, sound economic policies, and to the health and education of their people

“I am pleased that half of the 16 countries selected are in Africa, because that is where hunger is most widespread and on the increase,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “What is now needed is for Congress to fully fund the Millennium Challenge Account for the next fiscal year. The MCC has acted as quickly as the law allows and they made good decisions.”

The MCA was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in January 2004. Bread for the World members played a role in shaping the MCA and to push for full funding in FY 2005. Bread for the World said such funding is needed to support the world’s poorest countries.