WFP mulls steps to cope with rising food prices
Edith Regalado
Philippine Star
DAVAO CITY – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) would either reduce food rations or the number of beneficiaries of its existing food assistance program in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao should the prices of food commodities, including rice, continue to go up, while funds become scarce.
“There are two things we can do. One is reduce the number of planned beneficiaries and two, reduce the food ration itself,” WFP-Philippines deputy country director Alghassim Wurie told The STAR in a phone interview yesterday.
Wurie said the WFP right now needs at least $19 million to fund its existing program in Mindanao this year.
“Right now, we need $19 million to move on. We do not have the money for it. We need funds very badly. And with what we need in funds, our plan of action would be, first to go on an advocacy on awareness about food security and the hunger situation in the country,” Wurie said.
Another step, he said, involves a direct appeal to donors “to fund our procurements for Mindanao.”
“We would appeal for cash and food for our program in Mindanao,” he said.
Should their efforts fail, Wurie said WFP-Philippines may eventually be forced to either reduce the food rations or the number of beneficiaries.
At present, Wurie said WFP-Philippines has an existing supply of 4,000 metric tons of food commodities in its warehouses.
The WFP, which relies entirely on voluntary contributions in cash, food or services, has more than 1.5 million beneficiaries in conflict-affected villages in North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Shariff Kabunsuan.
Wurie said the WFP supports the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and believes “that food aid could help in the peace process.”
“We believe that the issue in Mindanao is about poverty and hunger,” he said.
The WFP-Philippines reportedly experiences an increase of at least 40 percent in its purchase of rice, mostly from Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.
But despite the problems, Wurie expressed confidence that the WFP would be able to raise $19 million to fund its projects in Mindanao until March next year.
“For this year, we do not see the possibility of not getting the money. I think we can get the money. We are doing everything possible to address hunger. We are approaching donor countries as well as the private sector and individual donors,” he said.
Wurie said closing shop is out of the question. “We never think of closing shop yet. That is not within our sight. No, not yet for now. That is why we are working hard,” he said.
Wurie counts on Japan, Spain and Australia among the prospective country donors that could extend the necessary funding for the WFP food aid program in Mindanao.
“Japan is one of our donors. And I met with an official of the Japanese embassy in the Philippines recently and we talked about the program. Spain is also happy with our program. And I understand Australia is currently reviewing its assistance to the Philippines and if it could also give to the WFP project in Mindanao,” he said.
Wurie also cited multilateral funding institutions like the governments of Canada and the United States that give to the WFP.
“What we could get from Canada or the US would depend on how much the WFP would give to the Philippine program,” he said.
Aside from the Philippines, the WFP also has food assistance programs in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Cambodia and Timor Leste, among other countries.
Globally, the WFP declares it needs at least $500 million so it could address its fund requirements for its programs across the world.
Wurie said the WFP programs in Mindanao involve food-for-education, food-for-work, food-for-training, food-for-health, and support for persons displaced by conflicts.
He said the WFP also extends food support to areas affected by natural and man-made disasters.
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