Dhaka, Sunday, 13 July 2008: Mr. David Hill, Head of European Commission for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), Bangladesh mission, visited the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) distribution of relief food assistance to poor people affected by the rodent crisis in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).  | | WFP food distribution to people affected by rodent crisis has been critical in supporting thousands of poor tribal families who would not have able to feed themselves in these months following the loss of their crops |  | | David Hill, the ECHO mission head |
Many thousands of families in CHT are struggling to feed themselves after the area was overrun by millions of rats -- a phenomenon known locally as a rat flood. The rat flood, caused by seasonal flowering of bamboo, has destroyed the crops and livelihoods of people in CHT. WFP has been assisting 25,680 households in 31 most affected Unions in 7 Upazilas of Rangamati and Bandarban districts of CHT since May 2008, with the aim of meeting the immediate food needs of the poorest people. “WFP food distribution to people affected by rodent crisis has been critical in supporting thousands of poor tribal families who would not have able to feed themselves in these months following the loss of their crops.” said David Hill, the ECHO mission head on Friday 11 July while observing WFP’s food distribution sites. He added, “We are particularly glad to see that WFP has responded quickly to feed these vulnerable poor families who are in need of food. WFP assistance is helping affected people of CHT to meet their nutritional needs while protecting their livelihoods. We are happy to extend our support to WFP.” The second round food distribution started on Monday 7 July 2008. Each family receives 50kg rice, 4 liter vegetable oil and 4 kg of high energy biscuits enriched with micronutrients. WFP food assistance is being distributed in collaboration with Government Officials, UNICEF, local NGOs, traditional leaders and community representatives. WFP has been implementing food aid programmes in CHT since 1998. |
