WFP continues food distribution

The World Food Programme- despite facing shortages in its food distribution chain, continued to distribute food to needy beneficiaries under various programmes in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, a report dated 7 December, said. In Liberia, in addition to distributing food to over 16,000 refugees and IDPs, the UN agency focused on school feeding programmes throughout the country. It said due to its Emergency School Feeding Programme, several counties in the country had recorded higher enrolment rates than last academic year. The agency distributed 27 mt of food to pupils in Bong and Maryland counties. WFP also started a school feeding programme in Guinea for 1,600 primary school children in Gueckedou and Nongoa, near the border with Liberia. The children will receive one meal every morning, the agency said. In the last two weeks, WFP distributed food to close to 40,000 people, giving away over 700 mt of food under various programmes. In Sierra Leone, the agency had to adjust its distribution plans for this month because of low stocks of cereal and oil. It said a major shortfall in Corn Soya Blend in February was expected. Nevertheless, the UN agency was able to provide food to approximately 70,000 people.