NewsFood.com

Dhaka, 23 November 2007 - World Food Programme deliveries of High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) across the cyclone-affected areas are continuing as the food agency also announced the start of a substantial shipment of rice to be transported by road to victims of the Cyclone Sidr living in the five worst-affected Districts of Southern Bangladesh.

With food assistance as an urgent priority, WFP is delivering food in close cooperation with ongoing Government of Bangladesh relief efforts.

Close cooperation - "WFP is working very closely with the Bangladesh Air Force to ensure ready-to-eat foods get to those people who need our help the most," said Douglas Broderick, WFP Country Representative.

"In addition to High Energy Biscuits which continue to be air-delivered by Air Force helicopters, today we have begun the road and boat transport of 750 tons of rice for the five worst-affected districts."

Deliveries of 750 tons of rice started today for families in the five worst-affected Districts of Barguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barisal and Bagerhat. A total of 25,000 families will receive a ration of 30 kg of rice that is good for one month.

Emergency feeding programme - For longer-term food assistance needs, WFP is planning now to start an emergency feeding programme based on the outcome of a recent UN assessment team's report.

Following the present and continuing distribution of dry, ready-to-eat foods to hundreds of thousands of Cyclone victims, WFP will provide longer term monthly food rations including rice, pulses and oil to more than 2.3 million persons in the nine worst affected districts in Southern and coastal Bangladesh.

"From the biscuits to the rice to more balanced food rations for entire families, we are working urgently to provide the critical food assistance needed by the most vulnerable people living in the Cyclone-hit areas," said Broderick.

Isolated - "With the Bangladesh Air Force and with our many cooperating NGO partners on the ground, we are working as hard as we can to get this food to communities and villages cut off and isolated by the cyclone."

The balanced long-term food rations to be distributed for three month to families under the Emergency Operation will include 30 kg of rice, 3 kg of pulses, oil and HEBs for each month.