Australia donates 2.7 million dollars to United Nations World Food

Islamabad, May 20, 2014 (PPI-OT): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a contribution of 2.7 million US dollars from the Government of Australia for its livelihood activities in Sindh. With this contribution, WFP will be able to assist approximately 13,000 vulnerable families through cash for work by engaging them in various disaster risk reduction (DRR)/livelihood activities.

The priority districts for assistance in Sindh are Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Badin and Mirpurkhas identified as disaster prone by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and are food insecure.

“I am delighted with this contribution Australia is making to assist families affected by the drought in Southern Sindh. This contribution further cements the good relationship we have with the World Food Program and people of Pakistan’. H.E. Peter Heyward, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan said.

Lola Castro, WFP Country Director in Pakistan said “WFP has been engaged in early recovery and disaster risk reduction interventions in the flood and drought affected districts across the country for over three years through community based interventions to restore livelihoods and build resilience against disasters”.

“These interventions have multiple short term and long terms benefits to the affected communities which ultimately contribute to household food security and are linked to a detailed multi hazard risk analysis and community engagement.” she added.

In the short term, people receive an incentive with the provision of cash in return for their work. This addresses their immediate needs which they most use to purchase food items and also to address some other basic household needs. While in the long run, the assets created build community resilience to future shocks and contributes to their food security and livelihood improvement.

For instance, the rehabilitation of water courses enhances water availability from head to tail end which improves crop production leading towards better food security.

Cash assistance provides a wide range of choices for food to the beneficiaries, also people have small scale cash requirements to provide for other critical needs at household level such as health and education for their children. Additionally cash inflow augments local markets and the local economy and this way, beneficiaries’ access to food is facilitated by providing cash.

For more information, contact:
Faizan Haq
Media enquiries
Australian High Commission
Constitution Ave and Ispahani Rd,
Diplomatic Enclave No. 1, Sector G-5/4, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 835 5500, 051 8355346, 051 8355422
Fax: +9251 282 0112
Cell: 03008547816