WFP and World Vision set to provide food to people displaced by floods and landslides in Kalehe, DRC
By Farida Eliaka, Advocacy, Communications and External Engagement Director
Kalehe May 10 – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and NGO partner World Vision are launching an emergency operation to provide food assistance by distributing 08 MT of High Energy Biscuits to the flood victims in Kalehe, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
These distributions that start today are to help the most vulnerable victims of the recent floods, which killed over 400 people and displaced over 107,000. They include high-energy biscuits for displaced people.
"World Vision is working to distribute food as quickly as possible to alleviate the distress of affected communities," said Kanghezani Moyo, Food Assistance Manager at World Vision.
In order to coordinate operations as effectively as possible, World Vision is working with an inter-agency Crisis Management Committee, headed by the Administrator of the Kalehe territory and Chief Medical Zonal Officer (MCZ) of Kalehe health zone, to begin distributing food to displaced people. A needs assessment to inform the wider distribution of food rations is underway.
All IDP camps will receive the 10-day ratio at the same time to assure a smooth process. The road between Bushushu and Nyamukubi is totally cut. “We organize passenger exchanges between Bukavu and Kalehe at Luzira River, then the vehicle can progress up Bushushu,” says Gabriel Mukoloka, Deputy Chief of Party for the Food Security Project. "This is a dangerous and unstable environment and it will be difficult to get food to where it is most needed. Real measures need to be put in place to reach the most vulnerable with a guarantee of safety," added Mr. Gabriel.
In addition to the food intervention, World Vision will provide WASH and basic household item kits. “We are striving to improve the food and nutrition status of the affected communities, as well as their living conditions,” explains Patrick Saah, World Vision DRC’s Humanitarian Response Director.
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