Irish aid for drought victims in Mozambique

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Irish aid for drought victims in Mozambique

7:18 CAT | 05 Dec 2016

The Irish Government on Friday announced a grant of 1.5 million euros (about 1.65 million US dollars) to support emergency operations by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Mozambique, where 1.4 million people in southern and central provinces are facing severe food shortages due to drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

According to a WFP press release, the Irish grant comes as WFP is scaling up assistance to reach 700,000 people with life-saving support. With food reserves exhausted, their food needs are likely to worsen over the coming two to three months, the “hungry season” before the next harvest.

“WFP welcomes this generous contribution at a time of increased needs,” said Karin Manente, WFP Country Director in Mozambique. “We’re still moving relief assistance into drought-hit areas though we’re hopeful that the current rainy season will give people good harvests next year.’’

WFP activities, the release says, “are designed to address immediate food needs while at the same time promoting the ability of vulnerable communities to withstand future weather-related shocks”.

WFP is providing assistance of various kinds – food for people building and restoring community assets, emergency school feeding and treatment of moderate acute malnutrition amongst children, and pregnant and nursing women. At the same time, the release adds, WFP is also preparing for possible floods should they occur in early 2017, at the height of the rainy season.

“The importance of these funds at this difficult time cannot be overstated,’’ Irish Ambassador William Carlos said. “They will allow WFP to strengthen its humanitarian response to the drought and we will continue to work together to ensure that these funds reach those most in need.’’

WFP says that the Irish government is a longstanding partner of its work in Mozambique and this latest contribution is in addition to Ireland’s annual contribution of 20 million euros in multilateral support provided to WFP globally.

Source: AIM