WFP Launches Winter Emergency Operation In Kyrgyzstan

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that
it is launching an emergency food operation to help 580,000 vulnerable
people during the bitterly cold season in Kyrgyzstan - many of whom have
felt the impact of a combination of high food prices and a fall in
remittances from expatriates working abroad.



"Winter is a brutal time in Kyrgyzstan. We will be providing food to those
who are unable to meet their basic food needs due to the past year's high
food and fuel prices," said Daly Belgasmi, WFP Regional Director for the
Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.



Wheat prices have risen by more than 20 per cent and fuel costs have gone
up by almost one quarter since the beginning of the year, severely limiting
the purchasing power of the most vulnerable groups. At the same time,
remittances from Kyrgyz expatriates have decreased, due to the global
economic downturn. Many people are now struggling to feed their families.



Remittances from abroad can make a significant contribution to poor
households in developing countries. As the economies of industrialized
countries contract, opportunities for employment in the construction,
retail and service sectors are falling, and affecting the job prospects for
expatriate workers from countries like Kyrgyzstan.



"The poorest are eating less food with less nutritional value," said Zlatan
Milisic, WFP Country Director in neighbouring Tajikistan who will oversee
the operation. "Many are selling their animals and other family assets. We
recognise the severity of the situation and are moving fast to meet their
needs."



During 2008, the Kyrgyz people have also suffered two droughts, a sequence
of locust infestations, hailstorms and spring frosts. These factors have
caused serious damage to the agricultural sector, despite an increase in
land under cultivation.



According to the initial findings of a WFP assessment conducted in October
2008, one household in five is at high nutritional and health risk. Their
diet is extremely low in calories, and the amount of fats and oil being
consumed is going down.



The WFP emergency operation - which has a budget of US$8.4 million - will
provide a ration of wheat flour and oil designed to meet the food needs of
those families living in rural areas and districts where more than
one-fifth of the population are not getting their full daily nutritional
requirements.



WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline
agency for hunger solutions. This year, WFP plans to feed 90 million people
in 80 countries.


WFP