Food Assistance to Madagascar in case of Emergency: 269 000 dollars from the Swiss government

The World Food Program (WFP) thanked the Swiss Government for having released, last March, a further contribution amounting to 269 000 dollars for its relief and recovery program, in order to ease humanitarian consequences of natural disasters. This new funding allows the WFP to cater to the most urgent food needs of 19 000 vulnerable people for a month. These people include those affected by cyclone “Bingiza” in mid-February in the Northeast, Southeast and South part of the country and the population of the South living in food insecurity due to drought.

“The World Food Program expresses its gratitude to the Swiss Confederation which has always shown confidence in the WFP’s activities taking care of the most vulnerable population in Madagascar, and that is, despite the difficult political, social and economic situation”, said Krystyna Bednarska, WFP Representative in Madagascar. As part of this relief and recovery program, Work for Food activities consist of rehabilitating community infrastructure, enabling every affected household to earn their living and thus preventing from a deterioration of food security. In exchange for the work, the WFP provides food ration to each family member who participates in the program. The WFP also assists people who are physically weaker through direct food distributions.

In 2010, Switzerland has donated to Madagascar a total funds of 456 000 dollars in humanitarian aid. These contributions allowed the World Food Program to provide crucial food assistance to the most vulnerable communities of Madagascar.