The World Food Program (WFP) is seeking $214 million to maintain six months of Ebola response operations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where food shortages could undermine patient care and isolation measures.
At a Geneva briefing Friday, Oct. 23, WFP Country Director David Stevenson said food deliveries help patients stay in treatment and help families meet isolation rules. He said assistance can ease the need for households to leave isolation to look for food.
WFP said almost 3.5 million people in outbreak-affected communities are experiencing crisis-level food insecurity. In an operational update, it said 97% of people directly affected still require food aid. The outbreak has affected livelihoods and market access in communities also dealing with conflict and displacement. Security threats, damaged transport routes and bad weather are making the response more difficult.
WFP would use $78.6 million to feed patients and their families through prepared meals and ration packages. The agency says it has served more than 744,000 hot meals at 59 facilities used for treatment and isolation and sent over 3,000 metric tons of food to families of patients. Since launch, WFP’s air service flew more than 10,000 responders and transported 483 metric tons of cargo.
WFP said it has finished its treatment center in Musienene, with a second facility still being built in Bunia. It cautioned that late or inflexible funding may disrupt food deliveries, transportation for staff and cargo, and support for treatment infrastructure.
The Independent reported two cases in Nord-Ubangi, the outbreak’s eighth affected province; EconoTimes previously covered the reported cases.
