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Far North: Over 27,500 people benefit from WFP's Emergency Food Assistance.

by Dorcas Ekupe
20 Dec 2024 23:47
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Beneficiaries receiving ECHO-WFP food items at Mokolo site, Far North Region

The United Nations World Food Programme, WFP, has announced that 27,587 persons have benefited from the Cameroon - Emergency Food Assistance 2024 - a 2 million US Dollars project funded by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, ECHO.

The project is aimed at supporting acutely food insecure populations in Cameroon, particularly in regions affected by conflict, displacement, and climate change. The announcement was made during a press briefing at the WFP's Sub Office in Maroua, Far North Region.

The Head of the WFP Sub Office in Maroua, Dr Gnagna Ndiaye, stated that the nine-month project, funded by the European Union, has been implemented by WFP in three regions: Far North, South West, and North West regions; and complements existing WFP humanitarian operations supported by the EU and other donors

"The project aims to provide vulnerable people with cash assistance in crisis-affected regions, enabling them to buy food and essential needs to thrive, reduce malnutrition, and contribute to food security," Dr Gnagna explained.

"We are working closely with local authorities, NGOs, and community leaders to ensure that right assistance reaches those who need it most," she added.

In the Far North Region, the project was implemented in Divisions such as Logone and Chari and Mayo Danay, where thousands of people have been displaced due to conflicts and climate change.

WFP, in partnership with local organisations, distributed food assistance to 12,268 newly displaced persons following a sudden crisis, and 15,319 vulnerable people during a period which households experienced critical food shortages, that is from July to September.

The Head of the WFP's Sub Office emphasised that the organisation partners with financial services such as mobile money to provide cash transfers to assist the less privileged.

"Thanks to the project, the food and nutrition status of beneficiaries have improved, some of them launched small businesses like sewing, livestock breeding, farming. As the project came to an end, we would like to advocate more funding to support affected communities, especially during these floods period," Dr Gnagna Ndiaye said.

The Cameroon Emergency Food Assistance 2024 project is part of ECHO’s and WFP’s broader efforts to support early recovery and resilience of vulnerable populations in Cameroon.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3324 of Wednesday December 18, 2024