As the world watches in despair, we who are fortunate enough to have been spared by the tragedy that hit Haiti, can do a lot to help those who have lost their loved ones and everything they have.
As a well-wisher of the United Nations World Food Programme, the largest hunger relief organisation in the world, I am pleading with you to please read about the great work they have been doing in Port-Au-Prince and their urgent needs. WFP’s focus is on providing food to the already hungry hundreds of thousands in the nation and into creating special programs to help the survivors get back on their feet and be able to provide for themselves as the country picks itself up and rebuilds itself (46% of the population was already food-insecure and the country’s hunger index is “alarming” and unfortunately the earthquake made the situation way worse)
Below, is a communiqué that I am bringing to your attention so that you may see what WFP is up to in Haiti and how you can help out the hungry by making a small or large donation which is the only thing most of us can do at this time.
To help the hungry in Haiti, please click here
PORT-AU-PRINCE – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is appealing for US$279 million to feed 2 million people and provide logistical support for a 6-month Emergency Operation in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
- In the initial phase of the operation, WFP will provide one-week rations of ready-to-eat food to up to 2 million people who no longer have access to kitchens or cooking facilities;
- After the distribution of the ready-to-eat food rations, WFP will begin general distributions of basic food items such as rice, pulses and cooking oil to 2 million people;
- As soon as possible, WFP will move from general food distributions towards food for work activities that use food as an incentive for people to support reconstruction and rehabilitation work in areas damaged by the earthquake;
- WFP began food distributions in and around the capital, Port au Prince, in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. Some 2900 people received high energy biscuits in Port au Prince on Thursday, and distributions are being scaled up in the coming days;
- WFP has deployed expert logistics and telecommunications teams in support of the coordinated humanitarian response to this disaster;
- WFP has established a logistics hub in neighbouring Dominican Republic and has begun acquiring logistical assets – such as mobile warehouses, trucks, helicopters and a coastal vessel;
- WFP is considering establishing a network of up to 200 kitchens in Port au Prince, with each providing up to 500 meals a day;
- Food assistance will be directed at vulnerable families that have lost their homes, families living in temporary shelters, and child-headed households;
- So far, WFP has received more than US$55 million from donor governments, and more than US$5 million from private companies;
- Government donors include the United States, Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, Australia, Colombia, and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.
To help the hungry in Haiti, please click here
