Brasília, October 20, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched today the Family Grant Program, which unifies the existing income transfer programs - School Grant, Food Grant, Gas Assistance, and Food Card. The average amount will increase by a factor of around 3. Currently, the average stands around R$ 24, according to data from the Secretariat of Social Assistance. The government calculates that the average will rise to R$ 75.

"This is a priority, not of my Administration, but of the Brazilian nation. After all, nobody can accept the malnutrition of millions and millions of children all over the country," Lula affirmed. (DAS)