Brazilian Leader Starts New Anti-Hunger Program

www.voanews.com VOA News 31 Jan 2003, 03:19 UTC

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has started a new program to eliminate hunger in South America's largest country.

The president Thursday implemented his new "Zero Hunger" program, with the goal of feeding the 46 million Brazilians who survive on less than $1 per day.

Under the program, two pilot projects will be implemented in the coming days in the northeastern Piaui region, one of the poorest in the nation of 170 million people. Plans call for more than 700 families each to receive $14 in aid per month, which they may withdraw using a debit card.

The government says the money cannot be used to purchase cigarettes, alcohol or soft drinks.

Organizers hope to expand the program to help 1.5 million families, most from the country's poverty-stricken northeast.

President da Silva took office January first, pledging to fight hunger and create jobs.