Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: July 31 (EI) — The UN World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday hailed Saudi Arabia for its continued humanitarian support to refugees in Ethiopia.
The UN agency commended Saudi Arabia’s consistent efforts to support refugees in Ethiopia, as it received 250 Metric Tons of dates from the Middle Eastern country, which is said to feed 500,000 refugees living in Ethiopia’s Afar, Benishangul Gumuz, Somali and Gambella regional states.
“WFP is grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the consistent contribution of dates for refugee and school feeding operations,” said WFP’s Representative and Country Director, Steven Were, during the event held today at WFP Country Office in Addis Ababa.
WFP had received close to USD 45 million in both cash and in-kind contributions from for refugee and school feeding interventions from Saudi Arabian government relief over the past few years, according to figures from WFP.
The current contribution of USD 250 Metric tons of dates will be distributed to 500,000 refugees in Afar, Benishangul Gambella and Somali regions, it was noted.
“The dates will complement food rations provided, which unfortunately had to be reduced this year as a result of funding constraints,” the WFP said in a statement issued following the handover event.
The donation is also expected to help fill the daily energy gaps for all targeted needy people WFP is currently assisting.
WFP also urged the government of Saudi Arabia to strengthen its assistance for relief, refugee, productive Safety-net and school feeding interventions in Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, WFP has also on Wednesday appealed for 196 million US dollars urgent funding to bridge critical gaps between now and the end of the year.
“WFP Ethiopia is also deeply concerned about the underlying food security situation for internally displaced people and relief beneficiaries. WFP looks forward to the support of the Government of Saudi Arabia to help bridge these critical gaps,” the UN Food Programme said in a
