WFP: Canada Pledges US$2M For Palestine

Palestinians in the Occupied Gaza and West Bank are set to benefit from a US$2.4-million pledge from the Canadian government to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Ma’an News reported Thursday.

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“We’re grateful for Canada’s commitment to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable Palestinians,” WFP Representative and Country Director Stephen Kearney said.

Overall, some 128,000 Palestinians will be aided by the contribution.

“WFP is a long-standing and trusted partner. In addition to WFP’s important work meeting the basic food needs of poor men and women in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, Canada values WFP’s impact on the local economy - promoting local farmers, food processors, and shops," representative of Canada to the Palestinian Authority Douglas Scott Proudfoot said.

"Working with partners such as WFP that advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is a key priority for Canada," the envoy added.

A portion of the WFP grant will be allocated to nutrition and health awareness sessions with an emphasis on pregnant and nursing mothers and caregivers of children under the age of five years.

Additionally, the food insecurity needs of 91,000 non-refugee residents of the Gaza for over a month as well as 37,000 Bedouin and herders in the West Bank for about three months - through the distribution of vouchers - will also be addressed, according to a release from the organization.

“Continued food assistance is critical as the number of food-insecure people in Palestine is on the rise with people having to skip meals, take on debts and count on the support of neighbors and friends,” Kearney explained.

The vouchers, the Urdu Point detailed, will cover purchases of fresh dairy products, eggs and vegetables as well as cereals and pulses across 83 designated shops.

Under a four-year plan, WFP will provide assistance to approximately 360,000 Palestinians who are affected by food insecurity, primarily in Gaza and Area C of the West Bank.

The WFP has reportedly disseminated more than US$210 million to Palestine through food subsidy, since 2011.