As more than 150,000 hungry and desperate survivors of last week’s earthquake continue to seek help, WFP thanked the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) for its contribution of €400,000 for food assistance.

The contribution is part of a €2 million package of European Commission humanitarian assistance to Peru. The funds were provided under a fast-track ‘primary emergency’ decision, in view of the urgency of the situation.

Speedy contribution

“The generosity and speed with which this contribution was made will make an enormous difference in the lives of the victims,” said WFP Peru Country Director Guy Gauvreau.

“This means WFP can move even faster in buying food and getting it to the tens of thousands of people who at this moment are looking to the outside world for help.

“We thank the people of Europe and the leadership of the European Commission, especially Commissioner Louis Michel, for this prompt initiative which is another demonstration of the continent’s commitment to humanitarian action.

Consequences

"In particular, the contribution will be gratefully remembered by the people of Peru who must now cope with the sudden and destructive consequences of this catastrophe,” Gauvreau added.

The European Commission contribution will help fund WFP’s emergency operation which aims to feed 80,000 of the most vulnerable victims during the next nine months.

Virtually all of these people saw their homes damaged or completely destroyed and are in need not just of immediate emergency assistance, but of help in rebuilding their lives.

The €2 million package of humanitarian assistance from the EC will be used to cover food needs as well as emergency shelter, medical assistance, hygiene kits, water and sanitation, basic household tools as well as the establishment of emergency telecommunications facilities and psycho-social counselling.

Trevor Rowe
WFP/Latin America
and the Caribbean
Tel. +507 317-3955
Cell. +507 6674-2601

Alejandro Chicheri
WFP/Latin America
and the Caribbean
Cell. +507-6675-0617
Tel. 511-999-11779

Elio Rujano
WFP/Latin America
and the Caribbean
Tel: +507 317-3930
Cell +507 6617-9261

Brenda Barton
Deputy Director
Communications
WFP/Rome
Tel. +39-06-65132602
Cell. +39-3472582217
(ISDN line available)

Christiane Berthiaume
WFP/Geneva
Tel. +41-22-9178564
Cell. +41-792857304

Cécile Sportis
WFP/Paris
Tel. +33-1-70385330
Cell. +33-6161-68266

Bettina Luescher
WFP/New York
Tel. +1-212-9635196
Cell. +1-646-8241112