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  ROME – The UN World Food Programme and other members of the humanitarian community are attending a major pledging conference in Geneva tomorrow - Tuesday 26 February - to mobilise resources for the crisis in Yemen.

“It is vital and urgent that we provide food assistance to the growing number of vulnerable people in the region, as well as those who depend on informal work,” said Miguel Barreto, WFP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

As coronavirus cases soar, Latin America has become the region most impacted by COVID-19 globally, accounting for over a quarter of the world’s cases.

WFP is rapidly assessing the situation on the ground to be ready to provide emergency support for thousands of people who have become homeless overnight, lost loved ones, were injured or anyone who needs assistance during these difficult times.   The explosion and the damage to the port will exacerbate the grim economic and food security situation in Lebanon.

Beasley’s visit comes as Lebanon faces a triple shock from the explosion, an economic meltdown and the impact of COVID-19 infection.  He spent three days in Lebanon visiting the Ports of Beirut and Tripoli, witnessing food distributions and the provision of food in communal kitchens run by WFP’s partner, Caritas.

“Rains and floods have been much worse than anyone could have anticipated, causing a national disaster,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Sudan, Hameed Nuru ”People have lost their homes, farmlands, schools and loved ones. Some of these people have lost everything.” The flooding is the worst Sudan has seen in nearly a century.

‘’In the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, people were so very desperate.’’ said Lola Castro, WFP’s Regional Director for Southern Africa.

In the Holy month of Ramadan, Yemen is facing critical shortages of food. The generous contribution will greatly help Yemenis follow their practices and traditions during this important time. WFP plans to use this contribution to provide millions of families with monthly food rations of flour, pulses, vegetable oil, sugar and salt.

Mohamed Ismail Hamza, a Sudanese national who worked as an Aviation Associate in El Geneina Area office, was travelling with his wife Halima and their two children, Hamza (4) and Huzaifa (2). The plane crashed shortly after taking off from El Geneina airport in West Darfur on Thursday 2 January.

The delegation was received by Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) leader, Abdulaziz Al-Hilu, and WFP employees from South Sudan.