World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

WFP welcomes a US$10 million contribution from DFID, the UK Department for International Development, to help operate a helicopter fleet bringing assistance to the survivors of the massive earthquake that hit Pakistan last October.

The largest humanitarian helicopter operation ever organised by the United Nations ended today after having successfully transported nearly 30,000 tonnes of aid supplies and tens of thousands of aid workers and other passengers to the Pakistan-administered parts of Kashmir struck by a devastating earthquake eight months ago.

WFP has announced the formation of a team of 23 experienced international and Pakistani mountain guides to assess damage and destruction in mountainous areas of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir hit by last October’s earthquake.

WFP has said that US$24 million is urgently needed to maintain its helicopter ‘lifeline’ operation in Pakistan -- the largest relief helicopter operation in the UN’s history -- until the end of August to assist thousands of victims of last year’s earthquake.

WFP welcomes the 6.7 million euros contribution from the European Commission (EC) to its air and logistics operations assisting earthquake victims in Pakistan.

With a contribution of a 4 million euros from the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) for Pakistan, the European Commission (EC) provides its largest contribution since 1992 – some 214 million euros - to WFP operations around the globe in its effort to save lives and feed the hungry poor.

The Executive Director of WFP, James Morris, describes 2005 as the most challenging year the humanitarian aid world has faced since World War II, but also warns that the New Year will undoubtedly bring further emergencies and even greater demands on donors.

A convoy of trucks carrying 39 metric tons of WFP high energy biscuits arrived today in the Pakistan city of Abbottabad, delivering desperately needed food to survivors of last Saturday’s earthquake.