Press Release

With support from Russian Federation, WFP continues to provide food assistance to vulnerable families in Kyrgyzstan

08 May 2020

In May, WFP and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) will continue to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable families in Kyrgyzstan through a joint program. Thanks to funding from the Russian Federation, more than 1000 tons of food - fortified wheat flour and vegetable oil - will be sent to those in need in the Naryn, Talas, Jalal-Abad, Osh and Batken provinces. 

More than 30,000 people from families living below the poverty line will receive a three-month worth of food ration consisting of 150 kg of wheat flour and 15 liters of oil per family to meet basic food needs.

WFP and the Ministry of Labor and Social Development of the Kyrgyz Republic distribute food aid in accordance with the priorities of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to support poor families. Food assistance is provided to participants through the joint WFP and MLSD program in return for community work.

“WFP supports the efforts of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to ensure food security, especially for the most vulnerable groups. The financial support of the Russian Federation is extremely important now, so that in the face of serious socio-economic consequences of the current crisis, no one will be left without support”, - said Andrea Bagnoli, WFP Country Director for the Kyrgyz Republic.

“The spread of coronavirus infection creates difficulties in our lives but is not able to erect barriers between friendship of two countries. The Russian Federation intends to continue financing WFP projects aimed at improving the quality of life in Kyrgyzstan and social protection of the population during this difficult period”, - emphasized N.N. Udovichenko, Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan.

In accordance with the recommendations of health authorities, during the distribution of food aid all the necessary preventive measures to eliminate the risk of infection will be taken. In particular, WFP conducts safety training for its employees and partners and ensures social distance at food distribution points and the distribution of disinfectants, masks and gloves to all participants.

In April, WFP and MLSD distributed a total of 1,033 tons of food to more than 33,000 people from low-income families and, as far as possible, continued joint field projects - distance training on income-generating activities and improvement of rural infrastructure.

WFP in the Kyrgyz Republic is the agency coordinating work in the food security and logistics sectors during the COVID-19 crisis. In this role, WFP provides food assistance to the most vulnerable populations across the country to meet basic food needs during the crisis and monitors food prices in 18 markets across the country to analyse food security and food prices. 

UN entities involved in this initiative

WFP
World Food Programme

Goals we are supporting through this initiative