Ireland makes EUR 2.2 million contribution to support WFP response to northern Mozambique displacement crises

In cooperation with local authorities and humanitarian partners, WFP has been distributing food and value vouchers for 375,000 IDPs in Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa. “We from the UN World Food Programme would like to thank the Republic of Ireland for this donation. This funding comes at a critical time, as needs are rising rapidly due to the escalation of violence in Cabo Delgado,” said Antonella D’Aprile, WFP’s Representative in Mozambique.

“Half a million people have lost their homes due to violence in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province in recent months. This comes on top of the devastation caused by last year’s cyclone Kenneth, the strongest ever to hit Mozambique.  This terrible combination of violence and cyclone has meant that as many as a million people are facing food insecurity in northern Mozambique” said the Irish ambassador for Mozambique, Her Excellency Nuala O’Brien.

With the Irish contribution, WFP will be able to provide value vouchers to 75,000 IDPs for a period of two months. Not only are the vouchers a way to support local markets, but they also allow beneficiaries to buy food and other essential items, such as soap, sanitary supplies, detergents, toothpaste, and water sanitizers. Moreover, this grant will also be used to support the Mozambican Government in revising its policies to enhance emergency social protection programming and coordination, while strengthening its capacity to implement cash transfers programmes.

Considering the escalation of insecurity and the anticipated increase in the number of displaced persons, over the next few months, WFP plans to increase the assistance to conflict-affected IDPs in Mozambique to support 500,000 persons. It is also exploring different possibilities for assisting 250,000 persons from host communities who are suffering the consequences of the violence.

The 12-month funding requirement for supporting the displaced persons in the North of Mozambique stands at US$117 million, while only a tenth of that has been secured. Without additional support, WFP’s operations will be compromised, leading to the reduction or even suspension of food distribution to those in need.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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