The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a newly announced US$30 million contribution from the United States that will be used to provide food assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This funding comes on top of US$25 million already provided by the United States to support WFP’s work in Cox’s Bazar since the refugee crisis began in August 2017, says a press release.
The funds will support WFP to continue to provide food and food vouchers for more than 800,000 people as well as distribute nutritious supplementary foods for pregnant and nursing mothers and children under the age of five. The funding will also allow WFP to engage refugees in disaster risk reduction work ahead of the impending monsoon season.
“The humanitarian community is racing against time to prepare for the rains and storms of the monsoon season. The timing of this donation from the United States is crucial,” said Peter Guest, WFP Emergency Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar. “But we still need more support from the international community – or else people will go hungry.”
The administrator of USAID, Mark Green, recently announced the new contribution on a visit to WFP activities in Cox’s Bazar.
“I have had a chance to talk to some of the Rohingya about the terrible atrocities they have faced, and it’s as bad as it possibly can be. But you also see some hope here: when you see young children playing together and socializing, and you see nutrition programmes and feeding programmes,” Green said.
“We believe very much in the work of WFP.”
Green also noted that the United States will provide additional funding for WFP’s work to support Rohingya and other vulnerable populations in Myanmar, as well as for other agencies assisting people in connection to the crisis.
While the newly announced US contribution has reduced WFP’s funding gap in Bangladesh, WFP still urgently needs US$167 million to continue to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh until the end of the year. Additional funding is needed to provide food assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities, prepare for the monsoon season, and support the livelihood possibilities for vulnerable communities.
The funds will support WFP to continue to provide food and food vouchers for more than 800,000 people as well as distribute nutritious supplementary foods for pregnant and nursing mothers and children under the age of five. The funding will also allow WFP to engage refugees in disaster risk reduction work ahead of the impending monsoon season.
“The humanitarian community is racing against time to prepare for the rains and storms of the monsoon season. The timing of this donation from the United States is crucial,” said Peter Guest, WFP Emergency Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar. “But we still need more support from the international community – or else people will go hungry.”
The administrator of USAID, Mark Green, recently announced the new contribution on a visit to WFP activities in Cox’s Bazar.
“I have had a chance to talk to some of the Rohingya about the terrible atrocities they have faced, and it’s as bad as it possibly can be. But you also see some hope here: when you see young children playing together and socializing, and you see nutrition programmes and feeding programmes,” Green said.
“We believe very much in the work of WFP.”
Green also noted that the United States will provide additional funding for WFP’s work to support Rohingya and other vulnerable populations in Myanmar, as well as for other agencies assisting people in connection to the crisis.
While the newly announced US contribution has reduced WFP’s funding gap in Bangladesh, WFP still urgently needs US$167 million to continue to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh until the end of the year. Additional funding is needed to provide food assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities, prepare for the monsoon season, and support the livelihood possibilities for vulnerable communities.
The United Nations World Food Programme – saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. 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, says a press release.
