EU Helps WFP Avoid Suspension Of Food Support For Mali Refugees In Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomes a contribution of €400,000 (approximately US$438,800) from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) that will enable WFP to maintain its food assistance over the next few months to nearly 50,000 Malian refugees in Mbera camp.
"This significant contribution from ECHO comes at a critical time, helping us move 270 metric tons of rice and 72 tons of pulses to maintain our food assistance, albeit at a reduced level, for Malian refugees in the Mbera camp. It’s an essential contribution to stave off hunger among the refugees, but we are very concerned that without additional international support, deeper or complete cuts will be inevitable, as of October," said Janne Suvanto, WFP Country Director in Mauritania.
Funding for Malian refugees in south-east Mauritania is vital. WFP needs US$3.5 million until the end of January 2016 to support those living in the Mbera camp. Up to now, only half of the necessary resources has been secured. Current food stocks allow WFP to distribute about 55 percent of the regular ration in August, and 62 percent in September.
"Nearly 50,000 refugees in the camp continue to need humanitarian assistance to meet their food and other basic needs. With the security situation in northern Mali still precarious, we count on our partners’ support to provide the refugees with life-saving assistance otherwise they risk falling into oblivion,” said Suvanto.
Thanks to ECHO - one of WFP’s top three donors in Mauritania – and other donors, WFP has been providing nutrition and food assistance to the Malian refugees of Mbera camp since 2012. This assistance includes monthly food distributions to all refugees; fortified nutritional supplements for children under five and pregnant and nursing women to treat and prevent moderate acute malnutrition; and a daily hot meal to children in schools
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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food in emergencies and working with communities to build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
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For more information please contact:
Marie-Joëlle Jean- Charles, WFP/Nouakchott, mariejo.jncharles@wfp.org, +222 27093363
Adel Sarkozi, WFP/Dakar, adel.sarkozi@wfp.org, + 221 776375964
