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Life-saving Chinese contribution to WFP’s efforts in Niger to support victims of Boko Haram crisis

Niamey – The people of China made a much-needed contribution of $1 million USD to contribute to WFP’s emergency operations that aim to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable in the Diffa region, including refugees, returnees, host populations and internally displaced persons.

“We sincerely thank China for their contribution to our activities in Diffa” says Sory Ouane, Country Director of WFP in Niger, “it will help us to meet the urgent food and nutrition needs of thousands of men, women and children suffering from this crisis and for whom WFP’s food assistance is critical.”

China’s contribution fuels WFP’s effort to stabilize the nutrition situation of children through prevention programmes targeting more than 16.000 children under 2 years old. Indeed, children are the first victims of the conflict. In Diffa, in August 2017, more than four out of ten children suffered from chronic malnutrition and 17.5% from acute malnutrition. A proper nutritious diet during the first 1000 days of life is crucial for a human being to grow strong and healthy. WFP provides fortified food products to that effect and supports malnutrition testing during distributions.

This contribution will also help to ensure the food needs of men and women through food distributions. In Diffa, in September 2017, almost 200.000 people were not able to tell what their next meal would be made of. Populations will receive food rations providing up to 2.100 calories per person and per day made of cereals, pulses, fortified food for kids, oil and salt.

“The Chinese Government gives great importance to food security and has identified it as one of the priorities for China-Africa cooperation. The Government and the people of China are willing to help the Government and the people of Niger within their capacity to tackle food security crises,” ensures Zhang Lijun, Ambassador of China in Niger. “We encourage the rapid delivery of WFP food assistance, thus benefiting the suffering people of Diffa.”

Thanks to the people of China, WFP can pursue its goal of providing life-saving support to households in Niger directly affected by insecurity in the Lake Chad basin and make sure they are not being forgotten.

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.

Follow us on Twitter @WFP_Niger @wfp_media @wfp_WAfrica

For more information please contact Tiphaine Walton, WFP/Niamey : tiphaine.walton@wfp.org