Australia provides A $2.0 M to WFP for food security
Australia today confirmed a further A$2 million to Bangladesh to support the on-going emergency operation of United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to address the impact of increased food prices on the country’s poorest people.
“I am pleased to announce this contribution for WFP’s emergency operation and hope this will provide assistance to communities affected by recent economic and environmental shocks, including communities recovering from Cyclone Aila,” said Justin Lee, the Australian High Commissioner in Bangladesh.
According to a recent study jointly undertaken by WFP, UNICEF and the Institute of Public Health Nutrition, high food prices had a serious impact on household food security and nutrition. Between 2005 and 2008, real household income dropped by 12% and by 2008 households spent 62% of their income on food – the highest for over a decade. An earlier study found an estimated 7.5 million people were pushed back into poverty due to high food prices. To cope with higher food prices, households have frequently reduced consumption, narrowed their diet and borrowed money, resulting in spiralling debt.
“'While the price of basic staples has come down, the crisis for the poor is far from over, with two million children under five now acutely malnourished in Bangladesh” said John Aylieff, WFP Bangladesh Representative. “'We are deeply grateful for this additional support from Australia, which will make a critical difference to families struggling to cope in some of the country's highly food insecure areas.”
To offset the lasting impact of food price inflation, WFP launched the current emergency operation in November last year to assist 5 million people. The emergency operation is providing nutrition supplementation to 250,000 pregnant and lactating mothers and children of 6 to 24 months of age to treat acute malnutrition. It is also providing high energy biscuits to 500,000 school children to prevent drop out and maintain attendance to classes.
Recovery activities under the emergency operation assist landless and marginal farmers benefitting a total of 500,000 people. WFP has recently extended its support to assist communities in the areas affected by Cyclone Aila.
For more information, please contact:
Farhana Rahman
Senior Political & Economic Research Officer
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
Phone: 8813105
M. Emamul Haque
Head, External Relations, WFP, Bangladesh
Tel: +880-2-8116344, 8119064-73, Ext 2189
Cell: 0171-301-3983