WFP to extend drought emergency operation

The World Food Programme (WFP) has increased its budget provision for the current drought emergency operation by US $40.5 million “to meet the needs of 30 percent of the people estimated by the DPPC to require food assistance or the last two months of this year and the first quarter of 2000”, Judith Lewis told IRIN. As a result, the agency will approach donors for an additional 21,308 mt to meet November-December shortfalls, 36,908 mt towards January-March 2000 requirements and 2,198 mt of high-energy, high-protein foods for supplementary assistance to 35 percent of the total population receiving WFP assistance, in order to “fill the gap” in advance of the annual food needs appeal in January, she said.

While the response to the drought emergency operation had been “generous and quick”, donors have been more reluctant to fund the operation for those internally-displaced by war while the conflict with Eritrea continues. A recent US $2.3 million donation from the Dutch government “has come at a very critical time” but WFP is “still pushing” to make good a 27 percent shortfall in cereal donations for the programme, Lewis told IRIN.