World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

Beneficiaries in the village of Vélingara Ferlo in northern Senegal who are part of WFP's cash voucher activities. In lieu of cash, WFP is using magnetic cards as a form of food stamps. 

Dr. Bellefleur, Nutrition Specialist, joined by WFP Senegal Country Director Inge Breuer and Rasmané Balma, head of WFP's sub-office in Kaolack, sit in the village of Velingara Ferlo for the distribution of cash vouchers on magnetic cards. 

WFP implements its activities through NGO partners. In this case, "Africare" is WFP's partner for the implementation of cash voucher activities. Africare employees explain to beneficiaries the distribution process and how the magnetic cards are used to purchase foods. The value of the cards range from CFA 3500 (about USD$7) to CFA 21,000 (about USD$42), depending on the number of people in a household. They can be used at selected relailers to purchase millet, iodized salt, oil, rice and sugar. 

WFP has partnered with Ferlo, an organization that works on electronic money transfers, to use magnetic cards instead of the traditional cash to purchase locally available food. Such magnetic cards resemble food stamps in that they can be redemmed at specified retailers. This set of voucher activities, funded by the Government of Senegal, is set to last three months, during the first part of the lean season, which typically runs from April to September.

Dr. Bellefleur, a nutrition specialist, hands a card to purchase food from selected retailers to a beneficiary. Recipients of WFP's voucher activities were selected by implementing partner Africaire based on certain criteria, including: number of members in the household, number of meals eaten per day, and number of malnourished children in the household. 

WFP Senegal Country Director Inge Breuer hands an electronic card to a beneficiary, to be used to purchase locally available food from selected retailers. 

In addition to Africaire, WFP partnered with Ferlo to oversee the electronic transactions. Ferlo trained retail shopkeers on how to use the magnetic cards. 

A retailer in his shop, where beneficiaries can redeem their electronic cards to purchase food. 

The products here shown form part of WFP's nutrition activities aiming to prevent malnutrition in children aged 6 to 50 months as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. WFP uses specialized foods such as oil and Super Cereal, a fortified corn soya blend. 

Gnagna Ndiaye, a WFP Nutrition Programme Offier, explains voucher activities using electronic cards in the village Vélingara Ferlo.

WFP nutrition activities to prevent malnutrition take place at community health centres. Partner NGOs implement WFP activities and oversee beneficiaries' nutrition status and progress. During the week, nurses at health centres hold sensitization programmes on proper eating and hygiene practices, among other topics. 

WFP nutritionist Gnagna Ndiaye joins Dr. Bellefleur, Regional Advisor for the French Embassy, and WFP Senegal Country Director Inge Breuer. Ndiaye explains the benefits of Super Cereal - a fortified corn soya blend - in preventing malnutrition in young children and pregnant and nursing mothers. 

Before receiving WFP nutritional assistance, this child was underweight and suffered from moderate acute malnutrition. After having been on WFP's nutrition programme for a few months, he has gained weight and is no longer malnourished. 

A mother who receives WFP nutritional assistance prepares the Super Cereal, a fortified corn soya blend, she receives.