USAID Announces New Food Contribution for Humanitarian Crisis in Eritrea
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-056
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2003
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. government will contribute an additional 26,000 metric tons in food assistance, valued at $10.6 million, for the Eritrean humanitarian crisis. The new contribution, which was announced by Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will be distributed through the World Food Program (WFP) for their emergency operation to assist victims of crop failure and drought in Eritrea.
The WFP estimates that approximately 1.4 million drought affected Eritreans will require emergency food aid totaling 290,000 metric tons in 2003. Since the onset of the food emergency in Eritrea in 2002, the U.S. government has pledged over 158,000 metric tons valued at approximately $68.7 million, both through the WFP and a number of non-governmental organizations. In 2003, USAID contributions to the Eritrean government's appeal for the drought affected segment of the population totals 144,680 metric tons, or 50% of the estimated food aid requirements for drought relief this year.
For more information on the humanitarian crisis in Africa, click here.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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