UN World Food Programme Receives €3.5 Million from France for Pakistan Floods Response
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) expresses gratitude for the generous contribution of €3.5 million from the Government of France. The funding will support WFP’s ongoing flood response efforts, specifically targeting women and children facing life-threatening malnutrition in Pakistan.
With this contribution, WFP will be able to provide lifesaving assistance to thousands of children under five years old, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls suffering from acute malnutrition in the Sindh and Balochistan regions.
While floodwaters have receded in most parts of Pakistan after last year’s unprecedented floods, the country now faces a new peril. Amidst high inflation and soaring food prices, millions of people are struggling to access and afford nutritious food. This has resulted in cases of severe acute malnutrition emerging among women and children in the districts worst affected by the floods.
Nicolas Galey, Ambassador of France to Pakistan, expressed France’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan floods, particularly the vulnerable communities in Sindh and Balochistan. The funding provided by France will help improve food security, enhance community resilience, and focus on the nutrition of women, girls, and children under five.
A rapid survey conducted in flood-affected districts revealed that nearly one-third of children aged 6-23 months are suffering from moderate acute malnutrition, while 14 percent are affected by severe acute malnutrition. WFP remains deeply concerned about this nutrition crisis and is committed to addressing the situation with utmost urgency.
The €3.5 million contribution from France underscores their commitment to eradicating malnutrition and supporting Pakistan’s flood recovery. This follows previous contributions of €1 million in 2022 for the Integrated Nutrition-Safety Net Project and €2 million in support of WFP’s flood response activities. The total contribution of €6.5 million will provide vital assistance to hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis affected by last year’s devastating floods.
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WFP extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Government of France for their timely support, which will help reach the most vulnerable communities and save lives in Pakistan.
