Cyclone-hit parts of Bangladesh need more food aid, UN agency says

Higher food prices in cyclone-hit parts of Bangladesh are threatening food security among the very poor, including children suffering from high rates of malnutrition, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today, appealing for funds to continue its operations there.

WFP is providing food rations consisting of rice, lentils, edible oil, blended food, salt and high energy biscuits, all delivered in collaboration with the Government and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners.

But the agency urgently needs $22 million to continue its emergency assistance up to mid-May for more than 2 million of the worst-affected people, the poorest and most vulnerable to food insecurity in the wake of Cyclone Sidr, which killed more than 3,000 people there when it hit coastal Bangladesh late last year.

“Food insecurity, coupled with rising food prices and high malnutrition rates, all point to the need for a continuing and strong relief response,” said WFP Bangladesh Country Director Douglas Broderick, citing a new assessment.

“We need immediate funding from international donors to continue the emergency food assistance that the survivors of Cyclone Sidr depend on.

“More food is needed for the poorest among the survivors who are trying to rebuild their homes and replant their fields for the next harvest,” said Mr. Broderick.

He said the high malnutrition rates also indicated the need for longer emergency feeding, at least through May when the next harvest comes and can be expected to assist the poorest in regaining some of their livelihoods and improving access to food.

Ongoing relief assistance will help to secure the food needs of many of the worst affected and most food insecure families and as such can prevent suffering associated with hunger, malnutrition, and the further deterioration of livelihoods, WFP said.