“Feed diversion is absolutely unacceptable,” called WFP Managing Director Cindy McCainfollowing a joint statement by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and USAID announcing their determination to delve deeply into the revelations about the diversion of aid funds.
“While we’re going to do it Temporarily suspend food aid in Ethiopianutritional assistance for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, school feeding programs and activities to build resilience among farmers and pastoralists will continue uninterrupted,” she calledand welcomed the Ethiopian government’s commitment to investigate and hold those responsible to account.
Widespread theft
According to media reports, large aid shipments have been stolen in recent months.
“Our first concern is the millions of hungry people who depend on our support, and our teams will work tirelessly with all partners to get our operations back up and running once we can ensure food reaches the people who need it most.” said the SFP boss.
More than 20 million people in Ethiopia are in urgent need of humanitarian food assistanceas the long-lasting effects of conflict and drought continue, according to the agency.
“WFP works closely with its UN and humanitarian partners, as well as local stakeholders reform the way aid is delivered throughout Ethiopia and in all high-risk operational contexts that we work in,” she said, adding that the agency takes this issue very seriously and will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure essential food aid reaches those who need it most .
Find out how WFP is helping Ethiopians Here.
Children eat food provided by one of WFP’s homegrown school feeding programs in South Omo, Ethiopia.
