WFP to distribute rice among flood victims
Monday, 13 August 2007
The World Food Programme (WFP) will soon start the rationing of 2,000 tonnes of rice to flood victims in initial response to need for emergency relief of flood-affected people of Bangladesh, reeling from severe flooding following catastrophic rains in the region, reports UNB.
"As we go along with the emergency, responding to the need of flood victims, the World Food Programme will be starting rice distribution after this week," WFP Resident Representative Douglas Broderick told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.
Asked about the quantity of rice to be distributed by the UN food agency, he said that, initially, about 1,500 to 2,000 tons of rice would be distributed. "And, hopefully, we will be able to increase that."
He thanked Australia, Canada and Germany for extending cooperation to WFP by committing food for Bangladesh.
Asked if WFP fears food shortages in the wake of loss of standing crops in floodwater, Broderick said, "Obviously, we are quite concerned and looking at the issue."
He observed that when livelihood is wiped out, small farms destroyed and croplands flooded significantly, it is a matter of concern.
According to official statistics, standing crops on about 12,00,000 acres of land were completely or partially damaged by the current monsoon floods.
"It is an important concern for us and for the government of Bangladesh," the WFP representative said, adding that they want to look into the extent of total damage. And he feels that it is a significant damage done by the catastrophe.
Brodercik said WFP in cooperation with the Bangladesh government and their partners in the United Nations would do everything possible to enable the flood victims to get rehabilitated and return to normal life.
He assured that the WFP, with the help of two other UN agencies-UNICEF and WHO-would make out short- medium- and long-term plans to help out the victims with the emergency relief and rehabilitation in the post-flood period.
Broderick said at this moment WFP convoys are busy distributing 3,000 metric tons of high-protein biscuits and lifesaving foods among 200,000 families in crying need in shelter-centers and embankments affected by the floods.
Foreign Advisor Chowdhury said the government would take "all-out steps so that the country does not face any food crisis as had happened in the past".
"As we go along with the emergency, responding to the need of flood victims, the World Food Programme will be starting rice distribution after this week," WFP Resident Representative Douglas Broderick told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.
Asked about the quantity of rice to be distributed by the UN food agency, he said that, initially, about 1,500 to 2,000 tons of rice would be distributed. "And, hopefully, we will be able to increase that."
He thanked Australia, Canada and Germany for extending cooperation to WFP by committing food for Bangladesh.
Asked if WFP fears food shortages in the wake of loss of standing crops in floodwater, Broderick said, "Obviously, we are quite concerned and looking at the issue."
He observed that when livelihood is wiped out, small farms destroyed and croplands flooded significantly, it is a matter of concern.
According to official statistics, standing crops on about 12,00,000 acres of land were completely or partially damaged by the current monsoon floods.
"It is an important concern for us and for the government of Bangladesh," the WFP representative said, adding that they want to look into the extent of total damage. And he feels that it is a significant damage done by the catastrophe.
Brodercik said WFP in cooperation with the Bangladesh government and their partners in the United Nations would do everything possible to enable the flood victims to get rehabilitated and return to normal life.
He assured that the WFP, with the help of two other UN agencies-UNICEF and WHO-would make out short- medium- and long-term plans to help out the victims with the emergency relief and rehabilitation in the post-flood period.
Broderick said at this moment WFP convoys are busy distributing 3,000 metric tons of high-protein biscuits and lifesaving foods among 200,000 families in crying need in shelter-centers and embankments affected by the floods.
Foreign Advisor Chowdhury said the government would take "all-out steps so that the country does not face any food crisis as had happened in the past".