European Union and World Food Program sign agreement to strengthen feeding and nutrition in Guinea-Bissau

By European Commission
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European Union and World Food Program sign agreement to strengthen feeding and nutrition in Guinea-Bissau

BISSAU, Guinea Bissau, March 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On 26 February 2014, in Bissau, Ambassador Joaquín González-Ducay, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, and Mr. Ussama Osman, Country Director and Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP), signed a contribution agreement for the amount of 5 million Euro (about 3 billion and 280 million CFA francs) in the framework of the implementation of the programme "Integrated Actions in Nutrition and Agricultural Development" (UE-AINDA).

"The contribution of the European Union comes in timely, given that almost all Guinean families depend on the income of cashew nuts for their livelihood," said WFP Representative, Ussama Osman. "Even in 2014 the campaign cashew might be endangered by internal and external factors, leading to decreased revenues, which will have an impact on the purchasing power of small producers."

The contribution from the European Union will be used by WFP to provide food during three years to about 56,000 beneficiaries, mainly malnourished children, pregnant and nursing women, Tuberculosis patients and their families countrywide.

In addition to providing food to the poor and defenceless, the European Union will fund an effective monitoring system and an early warning mechanism for food crises. Activities will be conducted in partnership with Non-Governmental Organizations, Community-Based Organizations and partners of the Food Security and Nutrition Group (GSAN) of Guinea-Bissau.

In conclusion, Ambassador Gonzalez-Ducay highlighted that "the eradication of hunger is an essential element in the fight against poverty, which lies at the foundation of the strategy of the European Union for development.

The decision to establish the UE-AINDA programme, which will address both hunger and poverty, and to entrust the execution of a key component to WFP is another example of the continuing commitment of the European Union towards the people of Guinea-Bissau."