Brasília, 12/19/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says that the Zero Hunger program has now overcome its initial difficulties and is providing benefits for over one million families, around five million people, in 1,227 municipalities. Lula said the presence of the program was being felt in improved statistics on nutrition and sanitation.

Lula cited the examples of Guaribas and Monsenhor Hipólito, in the state of Piaui, where there had been no cases of infant mortality since the Zero Hunger program arrived. (AB)