WFP dispatches largest food convoy since October to the Wanni region

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered the largest food consignment since October to the non liberated areas in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts yesterday (Dec 23). The WFP in press release said that a vehicle convoy carrying 870 tons of food had reached Puthukkudiyuruppu. The WFP is considered to be the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline agency for hunger solutions.Next year,WFP plans to feed 98 million people in 77 countries

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFE) today completed its largest delivery of food to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Vanni region northern Sri Lanka since humanitarian convoys began delivering food in October. The convoy delivered 870 tons of food, enough to feed over 230,000 people for a week, to Puthukkudiyiruppu.

Since the beginning of the food convoy operations, WFP - in co-operation with the Government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders - has dispatched a total of 4,990 tons of mixed food commodities to meet the food needs of an estimated 200,000 to 230,000 IDPs. In addition, a total of 781 tons of rice, locally procured by WEP in the Vanni, is part of the overall food distribution.

Although WFP planned to send 750 tons of food weekly, delays because of technical, administrative and weather-related constraints (security, bad road condititions, flooding) have prevented the full requirements to be met.

WFP is fully committed to continuing the regular dispatches of convoys to the Vanni to ensure that the IDP needs are met, and is receiving consistent support from all stakeholders. This convoy was the eighth to be sent to the Vanni, A ninth one is under preparation with 829 tons of food - enough to feed about 230,000 people for one week.