Bush releases $200 million in emergency food aid

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Monday ordered $200 million more in U.S. emergency food aid to be made available to help alleviate food shortages in Africa and elsewhere, the White House said.

Bush took action a day after top finance and development officials from around the world called for urgent action to stem rising food prices, warning that social unrest would spread unless the cost of basic staples was contained.

"This additional food aid will address the impact of rising commodity prices on U.S. emergency food aid programs, and be used to meet unanticipated food aid needs in Africa and elsewhere," the White House said in a statement. It said the assistance would be made available through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Editing by Sandra Maler)