WFP launches e-food card system for refugees in Cox\\\'s Bazar

FE Report

The World Food Pro-gramme (WFP) has launched e-food card system for more than 32,000 refugee families living in Cox's Bazar to allow them to get foods according to their requirements.

The refugees from Myanmar living in two official refugee camps in Nayapara and Kutupalong, now have access to food in shops established in the camps through the recently launched 'foodcard' system, according to a WFP statement issued Monday.

 "Foodcards give refugee families the opportunity to choose the food they prefer, including fresh foods for the first time such as leafy vegetables," said WFP Representative in Bangladesh, Christa Rader.

 "In addition to providing refugees access to a wider range of nutritious food items, the new system will enhance monitoring and help ensure the most effective use of resources for the refugees," said Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Farid Ahmed Bhuiyan.

Foodcards are electronic vouchers loaded with a monthly per person value of Tk 730 and can be used to select food items from special shops opened within the camps, it said.

Each family now has a foodcard with their entitlement loaded on a monthly basis and up to three family members can use the card in combination with their biometric fingerprint, it added.