The European Union helps WFP provide essential food assistance to food insecure populations in Burkina Faso
OUAGADOUGOU – In 2019, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) received a contribution totalling 2 million Euros (equivalent US$ 2.2 million) from the EU’s branch of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).
The EU funds, along with support from other donors, allowed WFP to provide cash and in-kind assistance to nearly 300,000 people across the country during the lean season - the period that falls between June and September and which precedes the first harvest. During this period, households limit themselves to a single meal per day as they experience a significant drop in basic food stocks from the previous harvest.
«This year, the situation was more challenging for rural populations. Many families had to leave their homes, assets and fields behind because of the continuous increase of security incidents. They sought refuge in other villages or towns where they could not have access to land to carry out their main subsistence activity», declared WFP Country Director and Representative in Burkina Faso, David James Bulman. «With their contribution to WFP, the European Union demonstrated its solidarity to affected local populations and the Government to improve the food and nutrition security of the most vulnerable », stated Bulman.
According to Cadre Harmonisé, more than 688,000 men, women and children experienced worrisome food and nutritional insecurity from June to September 2019.
The EU’s funding also allowed WFP to provide additional nutritional support to children aged 6 to 23 months as well as pregnant and nursing women at risk of malnutrition, at a time when women and children are less resistant to diseases.
ECHO is one of the main donors of WFP in Burkina Faso where they support lifesaving efforts.
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