UN agency and partners distribute food to 7,000 vulnerable people in eastern Ukraine

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the start of food distribution to about 7,000 hospital patients and school children in conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine.

Due to increased food prices, low income and humanitarian crisis, hospitals patients and students have become more vulnerable.

“The conflict has resulted in shelling into residential areas resulting in deaths and injuries of civilians and destruction of property and infrastructure including, hospitals and schools,” said, Giancarlo Stopponi, WFP Representative in Ukraine, said in a news release.

He added that providing food in those institutions would ensure that their vulnerable populations have access to sufficient nutritious food to stay healthy.

According to WFP, the food assistance will be distributed by ADRA Ukraine, which is a part of worldwide network of Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), to patients in hospitals and school students in many towns of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

“We work closely with local authorities, WFP and WHO [The UN World Health Organization], as well regional organizations to identify their needs. Volunteers and community health workers are also very involved,” said Anatoliy Begas, ADRA Ukraine Country Director.

In partnership with several non-governmental organizations, including ADRA Ukraine, WFP has confirmed that it has provided food assistance to more than 250,000 people among the most venerable population affected by the conflict in east Ukrainian regions. Under its ongoing Emergency Operation launched in November 2014, WFP plans to provide assistance to 575,000 people by the end of 2015.