Saudi Arabia made an impressive $500 million donation to the United Nations World Food Program, the UN announced [1] Friday.

The country, benefiting from high oil prices while many others feel the pinch, is doing its part to help assuage the developing global crisis [2] caused by rising food prices. The effects have been seen all over the world. In Mexico, the government is preparing for a backlash [3] against rising tortilla prices, in Suburbia, USA, big box stores have rationed staples [4], and in Haiti the government collapsed [5] over the crisis.

Saudi Arabia produces 9 million barrels of oil a day and oil prices have now topped $130 a barrel. You don't even have to do the math to know that's a whole lot of revenue.

The UN World Food Program, the world's largest humanitarian operation, set a goal of $755 million to be raised by all its member agencies. Thirty-two countries added to the Saudi donation, contributing a total of $960 million, exceeding the target significantly. Hopefully the money will quickly help the 130 million of people in hunger as a result of rising food prices.

Source [6]