LIBYA- Wednesday, 26th of July, United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced that the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of €1 million (US$1.16 million) from the Government of Italy that will provide food assistance to tens of thousands of Libyans affected by the ongoing conflict since 2011.
This brief is contained in a press release from the mission, where Wagdi Othman, WFP Libya Director, expressed his appreciation on the hand of generosity extended by Italy. “We thank Italy for this generous contribution to WFP’s emergency operation in Libya, which will help alleviate the suffering of people living in difficult conditions with little access to food and other life-saving assistance.”
It is no news that the humanitarian situation in Libya continues to deteriorate because of ongoing conflict and political and economic instability, all of which negatively affect families’ livelihoods and their ability to meet their basic needs, including food. As a result, people have resorted to measures such as cutting meals, taking children out of school, or cutting healthcare expenses.
It is in this light that the WFP urgently requires US$9.5 million to continue providing vital food assistance to families in Libya for the next six months. While political instability and insecurity hinder WFP’s ability to operate in the country, the greatest challenge remains the lack of funding.
According to gathered information, WFP aims to reach 175,000 people in Libya affected by hunger and ongoing conflict, throughout the year 2017. This donation, according to report, represents the second contribution made by Italy for WFP’s food assistance programme in Libya since 2016. WFP is therefore expected to use these funds to deliver food rations to almost 80,000 people in the country. Each ration is to provide a family of five with a one-month supply of rice, pasta, wheat flour, chickpeas, vegetable oil, sugar and tomato paste.
However, priority is to be given to the most vulnerable people, particularly those who have been internally displaced, returnees and refugees, as well as households headed by unemployed women.
Correspondent: Ridwan A. Olayiwola
