WFP says food relief limited due to funding

WFP and its implementing partners have completed distribution of seed protection rations (SPR) to vulnerable farming families throughout the country, WFP said in its emergency update on Friday. It said that of the 200,000 households planned for distribution, some 126,000 households actually received assistance. Reduced distributions were due to the inadequate food pipeline situation, which is a result of funding shortfalls, WFP said. The agency said priority during distributions was given to the northern provinces of Muyinga and Kirundo, which are the most affected by drought, and displaced farming families who have access to land in Bujumbura Rural province. Distributions were also carried out in drought-affected Mwaro, Muramvya and Makamba provinces.

WFP’s other projects in the country have continued to suffer from food shortages and delayed deliveries, causing several targeted distributions to be postponed and some cancelled, it said. The agency monitored the nutritional situation in supplementary and therapeutic feeding centres in Cankuzo, Bubanza and Cibitoke provinces and reported an improved nutritional situation there. Some WFP missions in Bujumbura Rural were postponed and distributions cancelled due to insecurity, it added.