EU Funds WFP Cash Assistance For Food Insecure

The European Union (EU) has allocated five million euros to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Zambia. The funds, which amount to around K112.3 million, will be used to provide cash assistance to 655,000 food insecure people in urban areas.

According to the WFP’s country representative Jennifer Bitonde says the coronavirus pandemic has affected the ability of most families to survive economically.

The WFP, which is an agency of the United Nations (UN), has been working to support families through the crisis since March when the outbreak began.

“COVID-19 has disrupted the ability of thousands of poor city families traditionally reliant on daily labour and informal trading to earn a living,” Bitonde is quoted as stating,

“With food prices on the rise, the constant struggle to meet basic needs is now much tougher – and becoming more so. WFP is grateful to the European Union for coming to the aid of poor urban households during this challenging time. This contribution is very timely, as many Zambians are emerging from a two-year drought that has severely undermined national food security,” she continued.

The WFP has been reaching out to poor families in parts of Lusaka and Kafue with relatively high infection rates.

The EU funding will enable the agency to extend its assistance to two more cities, Livingstone and Kitwe, with a view to reaching 655,000 people overall.

Each beneficiary family will receive K400 (EUR 18.5) a month for six months to help cover their food needs.

Pascal Mounier, EU head of humanitarian aid regional office in Kinshasa said, ‘’The EU and its member states are among the world’s leading donors of humanitarian aid, and in these difficult times, we are stepping up our efforts to continue providing help where it is most needed. With our contribution to these humanitarian efforts by WFP, the EU again demonstrates its solidarity with the most vulnerable people in Zambia who are bearing the brunt of this epidemic.”

“WFP is grateful to the European Union for coming to the aid of poor urban households during this challenging time,’’ said Ms Bitonde. ‘’This contribution is very timely, as many Zambians are emerging from a two-year drought that has severely undermined national food security.’’

WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.