Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security of Vulnerable Groups Affected by Shocks in the Forest Guinea Region

This operation has expired in September 2015.

Guinea is a low-income food deficit country emerging from political instability exacerbated by conflict in the region. The presidential and legislative elections of 2013 have put the country on the road to constitutional order. Slow but gradual progress is now being made towards achieving the Government’s goals of national reconciliation, improved economic activity, and enhanced food security.

Thirty percent of the population (11.8 million people) remain moderately or severely food insecure. Most of these needs can be addressed through longer-term interventions. There are three groups, however, that continue to require relief and recovery support: (i) Ivorian refugees; (ii) conflict-affected populations in the Forest Region; and (iii) flood-prone communities in the Upper Guinea and Forest regions.

As the security situation in Côte d’Ivoire improves, WFP continues supporting efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea to allow refugees to choose between voluntary repatriation and integration into Guinean society. By the end of this protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO), UNHCR should be in a position to assume full responsibility for any remaining refugees.

The Government has also requested humanitarian support in addressing increasing inter-ethnic conflict in the Forest region. Under this PRRO, WFP will continue supporting peace building efforts of local government and specialized NGO partners working with communities to restore the social fabric of conflict-prone communities.

In flood-prone areas, food assistance will be an incentive to participate in community rehabilitation and mitigation works and trainings designed to reduce negative effects of future floods. Under the stewardship of local government units and international NGOs, activities will take place mainly in the lean period when food transfers are most appropriate.

Project activities are in response to requests from the Government and have been designed in concert with plans and policies of relevant Government ministries, local government units, United Nations agencies and other interested stakeholders. The PRRO is aligned with 2014–2017 WFP Strategic Objectives 1, 2 and 3.