Spain contributes 4.1 million euros to assistance to vulnerable populations through the United Nations World Food Programme

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes Spain’s 4.1 million euros in contributions made over the past year to support food assistance to vulnerable populations and fund logistics for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in several areas. While the Sahel, Palestine and the Sahrawi refugees in Algeria remain the focus of Spanish support, Spain also contributed to WFP operations in Northeast Nigeria for the first time.

“We are grateful for the consistent support from the government of Spain and its people,” said Chris Kaye, WFP Director of Government Partnerships. “We particularly welcome Spain’s contribution to our work transitioning from humanitarian emergencies to longer-term development, and the steady support for populations in protracted crises.”

Spain remains particularly committed to supporting the Sahrawi refugees in Algeria. In 2018, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) contributed 1.3 million euros to sustain the monthly food distributions that WFP has been providing to the refugees in Tindouf since 1986. Ten Spanish regions contributed an additional 500,000 euros through a pooled fund, coordinated by AECID.

Spain’s donations also continue to support the Sahel, a region of great concern for WFP, where conflict, insecurity, and drought have pushed millions into food insecurity. Vulnerable Malian populations receive food assistance and nutrition support thanks to Spanish contributions both inside Mali (400,000 euros) and in neighboring Mauritania (300,000 euros), where WFP assists Malian refugees.

An additional 500,000 euros of new funding for Mali will provide support for innovation in nutrition, helping strengthen local economies and working with the private sector to develop affordable food products fortified with vitamins and minerals that are expected to reduce malnutrition rates in the country.

In North-East Nigeria, an area facing a major humanitarian emergency, AECID for the first time has contributed 500,000 euros to deliver cash transfers to 31,000 people who are internally displaced in Borno State.

Spain continued to provide an important source of support for Palestinians in Gaza, where WFP facilitates food assistance to non-refugee populations. A contribution of 300,000 euros will enable 24,000 people to purchase food in local markets using WFP vouchers.

Original source: WFP
Published on 23 January 2019