Cairo, 29 October 2008 - WFP has airlifted 17 metric tons of high energy biscuits to help people displaced by a tropical storm which struck Yemen last Thursday causing 180 deaths and many more injuries.
An Antonovaircraft carrying the High Energy Biscuits (HEB) departed from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Dubai,in the United Arab Emirates. The biscuits require no preparation and offer a practical way of meeting basic nutritional requirements for people who have no access to cooking facilities.
WFP has provided rations to 210 affected households in five locations in Mukala, with more planned for the following days using the supplies in arrival. WFP has provided 10 Kgs of dates to each family to assist 1,470displaced people.
Attempts to get medical supplies and relief aid to the region have been a challenge as many of the roads in the area are flooded. WFP is offering its logistical support to other humanitarian organizations, using capacity from its existing food assistance operations in the country.
Contact us
Gregory Barrow,
WFP/Rome,
Tel. +39-06-65132330,
Cell. +39-3481325018
Salman Omer,
WFP/Yemen,
Tel, +967 214100 .
Cell. +967 733212388
Daly Belgasmi,
WFP/Regional Director/Cairo
Tel. + 202-2528-1730 Ext. 2100
Cell. +1-201-09999219
Philip Ward,
WFP/Deputy Regional Director/Cairo,
Tel. 202-2528-1730
Cell. +1-201-22348674