US Announces $7.5 Million Contribution to the WFP for Food Assistance in West Bank, Gaza

US Announces $7.5 Million Contribution to the World Food Programme for Food Assistance in West Bank, Gaza
This story originally appeared on Palestine News & Info Agency – WAFA.
NABLUS – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced on Monday a $7.5 million U.S. contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for food assistance in the West Bank and Gaza.
The contribution will provide emergency food assistance to 32,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently in UNRWA shelters in Gaza and for food distributions to another 95,000 food insecure people in Gaza.  In addition, it will be used for food distributions to 60,000 vulnerable people in the West Bank and to support an electronic voucher program benefiting 35,000 people.
These projects provide continued support to food insecure Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
Dave Harden, USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission Director, said, “This commitment highlights the continued support of the American people to address the needs of the Palestinian people.”
‘WFP is thankful for the ongoing support of the American people to meet the needs of food insecure Palestinians.  This summer, WFP could rapidly scale-up emergency food assistance thanks to the U.S. ongoing support.  WFP’s rapid response was built on years of partnership with the U.S.  With this contribution we will continue to respond together to meet the food needs in Gaza and the West Bank’ said Paul Skoczylas, WFP Deputy Representative and Country Director.
‘We have been partnering with WFP to deliver food assistance to the most needy in Gaza and the West Bank for more than twelve years.  We have worked as one team with WFP and USAID during the last emergency in Gaza ensuring food is distributed even under the most dangerous conditions.  Beneficiaries we reach are always appreciative of the continued assistance provided.  The additional funding will definitely be of great help’ said Lana Abu Hijleh, Global Communities Country Director in West Bank and Gaza.
Prior to this $7.5 million commitment, since July 2014, U.S. contributions to WFP has totaled in $12 million providing more than 7,000 metric tons of food to more than 330,000 beneficiaries in Gaza.
The event was attended by Nablus Deputy Governor Anan Al-Atteeleh; Paul Skoczylas, WFP Deputy Representative and Country Director; Lana Abu Hijleh, Global Communities Country Director; and USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission Director Dave Harden; as well as representatives from the local community.
Global Communities has been providing direct humanitarian assistance in partnership with the UN World Food Programme and USAID since 2005. In 2014, the WFP Food Security Program implemented by Global Communities will have benefitted approximately 190,000 food-insecure individuals in 154 communities in the West Bank and Gaza.