WFP warns of rising food needs in Guinea-Bissau amid aid disruptions

Country: Guinea-Bissau Source: World Food Programme BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Children and vulnerable families in Guinea-Bissau are being pushed further into hunger and malnutrition as funding shortfalls force cuts to critical programmes during the June to August lean season, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today. The cuts come at a critical time for Guinea-Bissau with almost 130,000 people expected to face crisis levels of hunger in the coming months, more than one in five people unable to meet their basic food needs, and 73 percent of the population lacking essential nutrients. The impact of supply chain disruptions and cost increases linked to the Middle East crisis, and declining funding is placing significant strain on WFP operations. The number of schoolchildren receiving school meals has already been drastically reduced from 283,400 to around 152,000, leaving more than 130,000 school children without this critical daily assistance. “School meals are more than just a meal, for a lot of students it’s the only nutritious food they receive each day,” said Mahamane Badamassi, WFP a.i Country Director in Guinea-Bissau. “These children are now left on their own, with no guarantee of regular meals or adequate nutrition.” In addition, WFP has been forced to suspend the distribution of specialized nutritious foods for children under the age of two, leaving approximately 56,000 children without access to essential nutrition during a critical stage of development. This disruption raises serious concerns about a potential rise in malnutrition and increased vulnerability to disease among young children. “Children, as we know, are particularly vulnerable to diseases during the first two years of life,” added M. Badamassi. “There is a risk that they may fall into malnutrition and become more exposed to illness...

Original source: Relief Web