Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - The
World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a "rescue and recovery"
programme to feed more than 600,000 people in Burundi for a period of 36
months, the UN agency said.
For the programme, which started in
February and runs through January 2006, some 294,000 tons of food will
be needed at an estimated cost of US$195 million, according to Mustapha
Darboe, WFP representative in Burundi.
The programme to improve the food security situation will focus on children suffering from malnutrition, pregnant women, breast- feeding mothers, as well as people suffering from chronic diseases.
Refugee returnees, mainly from DR Congo, would also benefit.
Darboe said the WFP was equally carrying out humanitarian activities in schools, helping farmers with seeds and assisting social centres for vulnerable people and HIV/AIDS patients.
He said the persistent food insecurity in Burundi was related to the repeated movements of the population, unfavourable weather conditions, and a high population density.
According to the UN agency, more than 67 percent of the Burundi population has become destitute, living below the poverty line, because of the war in the country.
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