World Bank head Robert Zoellick’s calls to ease food shortages were endorsed at this weekend’s World Bank/IMF Spring meetings.

High commodity prices and their impact on growth and development were to be included on the agenda of the G8 Finance Ministers’ upcoming June meeting.

But that is too late, says Mr. Zoellick, who is urging immediate action to put food in hungry mouths.

World Bank estimates predict that 100 million poor people risk being pushed deeper into poverty by the doubling of food prices in the last three years.

During the meetings, the Bank decided to give an additional $10m grant to Haiti for feeding programs.