UN Food Support in Guinea-Bissau Reached Over 179,000 Farmers in July

The UN food support program in Guinea has started. At least 44,000 potential beneficiaries have already been identified by the partnership involving the UN agency and five non-governmental organizations on the ground.

Since the end of July, around 2,500 communities have received seeds for products such as peanuts, beans, and corn. Beneficiaries are entitled to between 15 and 20 kg of one of the varieties and 12 to 35 kg of fertilizer.

Rising food and fuel prices have influenced the worsening of food and nutrition security as a result of Covid-19 and the crisis in Ukraine. The project aims to extend access to food for vulnerable families.

The WFP indicates that around 96,000 people face acute levels of food insecurity in the country. On average, 28% of children aged six to 59 months are debilitated and 5% of those aged six to 29 months end up losing their lives. Guinea-Bissau is considered a net food importer.

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UN food support program lasts for one year

According to the Nutrient Gap study carried out by the agency in 2022, more than two-thirds of the population cannot afford a healthy nutritious diet of 4 dollars a day for a family of seven.

Horticulturalists in the Quinara and Gabu regions benefited from water wells, the purchase of materials, and the measurement of production perimeters. Women took part in community planning workshops on empowerment.

As part of the prevention and treatment of moderate acute malnutrition, 9.3 million tons of enriched cereal were made available to 36 health posts in May. More than 520 beneficiaries were reached.

The WFP distributed locally purchased rice to supply 852 school canteens, reaching nearly 179,000 children. At least 70 technicians received training in integrated management of acute, moderate-to-severe malnutrition and prevention of chronic malnutrition in Cacheu, Oio, and Quinara Tombali.

Also as part of the nutritional activities, nine metric tons of fortified mixed food were delivered to help 700 people, 51% of whom are women affected by a major fire that hit the Canhabaque sector in February.

The Food Security Support Project coordinated by the WFP lasts one year. It is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with $6.6 million.

The distribution of the food involves NGO partners led by a Monitoring Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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(Featured image by ambrosewatanda via Pixabay)

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First published in Africa 21 Digital. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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