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By Godfrey Olukya 3-3-2014
Ambassador Joaquín González-Ducay, Head of the Delegation of the
European Union to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, and Ussama Osman,
Country Director and Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP),
recently signed a contribution agreement for the amount of 5 million
Euro in the framework of the implementation of the programme
“Integrated Actions in Nutrition and Agricultural Development”
(UE-AINDA), Africa Press has reported.
“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.”
END