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A daily selection of news reports from the world's media dealing with hunger and responses to it.
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Hunger in the news
13 February 2013

Combating poverty through school meals

The World Food Programme (WFP) Tanzania supports school feeding programmes in some schools and last year, WFP expanded its school feeding programme. Today the number of primary schoolchildren receiving meals under WFP programme has reached 640,000 from 600,000 in 2011. During a recent visit to Arkatan Primary School in Arusha’s Monduli District, WFP Country Director Richard Ragan said the school feeding programme aims to help pupils concentrate better in class. The programme also saves those who would have gone back home for lunch the time to do so since some come very far from school.
IPP Media / The Guardian (Tanzania)
Hunger in the news
13 February 2013

Shippers turn to Dar port as Kenya readies for elections

The WFP delegation led by Executive Director Ms Ertharin Cousin, toured the port to assess WFP's operations as well as see the central logistic hub that is vital for the UN organisation's work in Africa. She was accompanied by WFP Goodwill Ambassador, Mr Howard Buffet. (..) "I am pleased to see good infrastructure and the efficiency of operations at the Dar es Salaam Port," said Ms Cousin, whose visit to Tanzania was the first as Executive Director of WFP.
Daily News (Tanzania)
Hunger in the news
13 February 2013

UN agencies, health ministry seek to improve Syrians’ nutritional situation

“The nutrition situation of Syrian refugees in Jordan, while not yet serious, could deteriorate with this protracted humanitarian emergency and many of these refugees are exhausting their savings, if indeed they came with any,” said Jonathan Campbell, the World Food Programme’s emergency coordinator for the Syria Refugee Operation in Jordan.
The Jordan Times
Hunger in the news
13 February 2013

UN agencies provide food aid to Syrian refugees in Egypt

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is feeding more than 7,000 Syrian refugees in Egypt through a newly-launched food voucher operation that is underway in other parts of the region. (..) Last week, more than 3,000 Syrian refugees received vouchers in the first round of distribution in the Cairo satellite cities of Al-Obour and 6th of October City, as well as Damietta near the Nile. WFP is planning to reach an additional 4,000 Syrians in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria by the end of this month.
UN News Centre
Hunger in the news
12 February 2013

Humanitarian appeal for flood-hit Mozambique: $30.5M

The international community is seeking some $30.5 million to assist at least 150,000 people who are said to have been displaced by severe flooding over the last few weeks. Food accounts for a bulk of the appeal: $10 million. (..) The Central Emergency Response Fund, meanwhile, has approved the allocation of $5.13 million to U.N. agencies providing life-saving assistance to flood-affected people in Mozambique. These agencies include the World Food Program, UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration.
Devex
Hunger in the news
12 February 2013

Aid agencies face violence and arrests in South Sudan

Aid agencies working in South Sudan, one of the poorest countries in the world, are under regular threat from members of the security services who beat or arrest them or commandeer their equipment, the United Nations said on Monday. (..) This year, the U.N. World Food Program plans to provide food aid to over 2.7 million people, almost a quarter of South Sudan's population.
Reuters
Hunger in the news
11 February 2013

WFP: 1.6 Million in Need of Food Aid in Somalia

The World Food Program (WFP) reports it plans to feed 1.6 million people in Somalia this year, including more than one million people who are in a state of crisis. (..) Though the number of those in need has dropped by more than half, WFP says the situation remains critical, especially in the south. It is for this reason that WFP says it is particularly happy to be able to work again in the port city of Kismayo. (..) WFP spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs said a rapid food security and nutrition assessment carried out in Kismayo shows the severity of the situation there.
VOA News
Hunger in the news
11 February 2013

Lebanon may need refugee camps for Syrians: UN

Lebanon should consider setting up transit centers to absorb the waves of refugees fleeing neighboring Syria and may have to establish formal refugee camps if the influx continues, a United Nations refugee official said.
al akhbar
Hunger in the news
11 February 2013

Wheat traders challenge Syrian officials' one-year reserves estimate

International traders challenged Syrian officials' estimates that the government has enough wheat stored to last a year despite the raging 22-month revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's rule. (..) A kilo of bread now sells closer to market prices at about 100 Syrian pounds ($1.4), four times its fixed price, residents in several areas across Syria said. Last month the U.N. aid agency the World Food Programme (WFP) has said there were signs of availability problems with wheat flour and bread.
Reuters
Hunger in the news
8 February 2013

Turkey says has spent $600 mln on Syria refugees

Turkey has spent more than $600 million sheltering refugees from the almost two-year-old conflict in neighbouring Syria, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said on Friday. (..) The United Nations said on Friday that refugee numbers have spiked, with around 5,000 people fleeing each day, 2,000 more a day than last year's figures. (..) Some diplomats have suggested foreign funding might be more forthcoming if international organisations such as the United Nations were given greater control.
Reuters/ Alertnet

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