Since the enactment of the Food for Peace statute in 1954. the United States has distributed nearly $55 billion in food aid in 150 countries. U.S. food aid. much of it distributed by private voluntary organizations. has saved millions of people from starvation and improved the health and quality of life of tens of millions of others. Private U.S. development agencies. medical teams. and refugee groups have enhanced the living standards of countless others in the developing world. Americans take pride in the impressive humanitarian achievements of U.S. private voluntary organizations. whose work has been generously supported by millions of U.S. donors. But some Americans may not be aware that the work of these groups also supports important U.S. foreign policy interests.