Food assistance for the OPT – WFP operations and resourcing update

OPERATIONS AND RESOURCING

UPDATE

JULY 2009

Foreword

Hunger in the world is projected to reach an historic high in 2009, with 1.02 billion people going hungry every day—an increase of nearly 100 million people.  The United Nations’ World Food Programme is working to extend food assistance to 108 million among the poorest people in 74 countries. WFP is deeply concerned by the growing impact of the world’s financial crisis on the poorest part of the world, which is causing lower incomes, increased unemployment, lower remittances and higher levels of poverty. This results in less access to food for the most vulnerable people. Without food, people revolt, migrate, or die.  None of these are acceptable options.

As the world’s most vulnerable are being hit by the combined effects of the global financial downturn and stubbornly high food prices in many developing world markets, WFP calls upon world leaders to remember the needs of the world’s hungriest people, through continued support to WFP, which depends entirely on voluntary donations.

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Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe – Regional Bureau OMC

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occupied Palestinian territory

PRRO 10387.1 – Protracted Relief Operation for Non-Refugee Palestinians

01 September 2007 – 28 February 2010 – 413,000 beneficiaries in 2009

Pipeline breaks over next 6 months (mt)

WFP supports over 800,000 of the most vulnerable and food-insecure non-refugee population in the West Bank and Gaza who have been affected by a steady decline in living standards. WFP has implemented emergency and protracted relief and recovery operations to assist the destitute, protect livelihoods, and support productive activities. WFP has been present in the occupied Palestinian territory since 1991.

• Immediate pipeline breaks in sugar, salt, dates, meat and fish are affecting this operation, while serious shortfalls in cereals, pulses and oil are foreseen in October, if new donations do not materialize soon.

• The situation is particulary difficult for the West Bank, as the Gaza crisis captured donors’ attention. Starting from a few months ago and due to the lack of funding, the number of beneficiaries in that area had to be reduced.

• If no additional funding materializes soon, WFP will be forced to reduce the food rations and/or further reduce the number of beneficiaries.

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