On World Refugee Day, displaced persons in Kenya are having their food rations reduced because of low funding. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says that refugees from the wars in Somalia and South Sudan will receive 30 percent less food.
Read the full article at Examiner.
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Yemen is suffering through a civil war, Al-Qaeda and now ISIS. But the most powerful of enemies is silent and unseen.
It is hunger. It is malnutrition, which threatens the lives of small children. Hunger and malnutrition are growing at an alarming rate throughout Yemen.
Read the full article at The Huffington Post.
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President Obama has admitted the lack of a complete strategy for war-torn Iraq. This is true in more ways than one. Food aid for starving Iraqis is being tragically overlooked.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is being forced to reduce rations for some Iraqi war victims because of low funding. If WFP does not get more funding soon, food aid for 1.8 million displaced Iraqis may come to a halt.
Read the full article at The Huffington Post.
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Summer is when we get to enjoy fresh and yummy fruits and vegetables. Just by taking a walk down the street you may see a farmer with their food stand all set up and ready for business.
It’s corn, peaches, tomatoes, potatoes and so many other good foods. It’s something we take for granted during these warm months.
Read the full article at The Huffington Post.
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There are over 20 million people in war-torn Iraq, Yemen, Ukraine, South Sudan and Syria who are at risk of starvation. But as Ertharin Cousin, the director of the UN World Food Programme, reminds us the hungry are not just statistics.
See my latest commentary at Examiner.
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The hunger emergency in South Sudan is described as “frightening” by Oxfam‘s country director Zlatko Gegic. There are already 3.8 million people suffering from severe hunger in the conflict-torn nation.
Read the full article at Examiner.
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Last week at The Huffington Post I wrote about how the internet plays such a major role in feeding the hungry during emergencies. The technical experts of the World Food Programme in Nepal are a great example. They are the ones that restore internet service so all humanitarian agencies can better coordinate food aid deliveries.
Communication is essential in times of crisis. Here is the latest on how the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is doing in Nepal. According to the UN, “Over 1133 humanitarians from more than 140 different response organizations are now using internet services provided by the cluster.”
The ETC team just linked to two Save the Children offices to expand this service. In total, “The cluster is providing shared internet services for the response community at 14 sites across Kathmandu, Deurali, Gorkha, Charikot, Chautara, Bidur, Lalitpur, Dhunche and Arughat.”
They are a great example of the behind-the-scenes work that is needed to feed the hungry. What is especially important to note, is that funding is required to keep this integral program in motion.
WFP relies entirely on voluntary contributions to provide food aid and supporting services like ETC. Nepal’s food needs are very high right now in the aftermath of the earthquakes. WFP has set up a donation page for Nepal.
Read the full update at Examiner.
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The United Nations is reporting that hunger is quickly escalating in areas affected by Nepal‘s earthquakes
Read the full article at Examiner.
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The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says it will be increasing the size of its relief mission in the Ukraine. Hunger continues to escalate there because of the conflict between the government and pro-Russian rebels.
Read the article at Examiner.
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Boko Haram violence has displaced thousands in northeast Nigeria. It has also spilled over into other countries, causing a hunger crisis in Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is trying to provide aid for thousands displaced by the terrorist group. The Far North Region of Cameroon, for example, is having to take in many conflict victims. Yet this region is one of the poorest in the world. The host communities need assistance themselves.
These affected areas of West Africa are also in the lean season, when food supplies are already low. Malnutrition rates are high.
WFP says the situation is urgent. Denise Brown, the WFP director for West Africa explains,
Women displaced by conflict have lost their husbands, walked for days to safety and rely on the support of already vulnerable communities. The lean season is upon us, and as local granaries are emptying, women tell of their families going hungry.”
Tragically, WFP is not able to provide food aid to all the victims due to funding shortages. Less than half of the people WFP planned to feed have received the food. Others have received reduced rations.
WFP requires around $ US 74.8 million to reach the hungry. The plan is to feed around 395,900 persons affected by the violence.
WFP is urging the international community to step up support for the emergency mission. The UN food agency relies entirely on voluntary donations.
Read more at Examiner.
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Author William Lambers 