US Contribution To Boost WFP Food Assistance And Local Economy In Afghanistan
“Millions of women and children in Afghanistan are food insecure, undernourished or in need of food assistance. WFP’s job is to make sure that we get them the help they need – either in the form of cash or locally-bought food,” said WFP representative in Afghanistan Mick Lorentzen. “Thanks to the generous and continued support of the Government of the United States, we will be able to improve people’s food security, boost the local economy, and support people’s livelihoods.”
The contribution will allow WFP to provide assistance to more than 1.67 million Afghans, particularly women and children with cash-based transfer and locally procured food.
“This contribution will reduce hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable and low-income households affected by conflict and natural disasters. In addition to meeting immediate food needs, this contribution allows WFP to work with communities to sow the seeds for community recovery with interventions that empower vulnerable Afghan families rebuild livelihoods and prepare for future shocks," said Herbert Smith, USAID Mission Director.
In 2017, thanks to the support of donors like the United States, WFP plans to assist up to 2.9 million food insecure people in Afghanistan by providing food or cash to those affected by conflict and natural disasters, as well as additional nutrition support, disaster risk reduction activities and school meal take-home rations for girls and boys in food insecure areas. In addition, WFP is providing food and cash assistance to more than 550,000 internally displaced people, refugees and returnees.
Around 40 percent of children under the age of five are affected by stunting, while 9 percent of women are undernourished. WFP has been working with millers to fortify wheat flour in Afghanistan since 2006.
USAID is WFP’s top donor in Afghanistan, providing almost 50 percent of WFP’s resources over the past five years.
# # #
About WFP
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
WFP has been working in Afghanistan since 1963 with the aim of helping Afghans build a hunger-free future for themselves and their country. WFP food is distributed on the basis of need, without regard for ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
WFP Afghanistan operates a feedback hotline number and welcomes comments, complaints and feedback regarding the distribution of WFP food assistance. Please call: 0790-555-544
Contact information:
Wahidullah Amani, WFP/Kabul, +93(0)706-004-884, wahidullah.amani@wfp.org
Fezeh Hosseini, WFP/Kabul, +93(0)706-004-847, fezeh.hosseini@wfp.org