PORT AU PRINCE – The World Food Program (WFP) today thanked the United States Government for its donation of $ 11 million, through the United States Agency for Development (USAID), which will provide assistance to approximately 170,000 Haitians for three months as part of its emergency operation in response to the drought.
It is estimated that 1.5 million people suffer from severe food insecurity in Haiti, while the country has experienced three years of drought, aggravated by the El Nino phenomenon, according to a survey conducted by the CNSA (National Food Security Coordination) and the WFP.
The drought has had a major impact on the majority of Haitian families, with only half of them reaching an acceptable level of food consumption.
“Farmers have lost several crops in a row and many have had to sell part of their property and go into debt in order to feed their families, further increasing their vulnerability. We must give them assistance immediately. Said Carlos Veloso, Director ai of WFP in Haiti.
“As USAID invests to support Haitian farmers across the country to improve nutrition and food security over the long term, we are proud to support WFP, as well as our other partners, to meet the immediate needs of farmers. populations that have been affected by the prolonged drought in Haiti, ”said Jene Thomas, Director of USAID Haiti.
The donation from the American people will provide support to approximately 170,000 people most affected by the drought. Each family will receive a cash transfer allowing them to meet their food needs by purchasing the food of their choice directly from local markets. In addition to providing immediate food assistance to families, cash transfers will also help strengthen the Haitian economy and support small traders.
USAID and WFP will also work to strengthen families’ long-term response capacities and make communities more resilient in the event of a shock. For this, more than 15,000 people will receive food in exchange for their work on water management and soil conservation projects, to enable communities to develop fruit and vegetable production.
WFP still needs almost $ 60 million to be able to provide assistance to a total of 1 million severely affected by drought and food insecurity.
