FUNDING FROM GERMANY UNDERPINS WFP CASH ASSISTANCE TO CONFLICT-AFFECTED IRAQIS

“The German Government greatly appreciates its strong and effective partnership with WFP in Iraq,” said Dr. Cyrill Nunn, Germany’s Ambassador to Iraq. “WFP plays a critical role in providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable people in this country. With this additional contribution to WFP’s Emergency Operation, we reconfirm our commitment to those who are in desperate situations - they will not be forgotten.”

This contribution will allow WFP to increase the scale and reach of cash-based transfers through WFP’s food assistance management system, known as SCOPE. This allows vulnerable Iraqis to buy nutritious foods of their choice from local shops. Every month, families are notified by text message that their electronic credit allocation of around €15 euros (US$17) per family member has been reloaded. Using a WFP SCOPE card, they can withdraw cash from a local money transfer agency or pay for food in designated stores.

“We’re grateful to the German Government for its contribution to assist Iraqis still affected by conflict,” said Sally Haydock, WFP Representative and Country Director in Iraq. “By giving cash assistance to families, we are giving them a broader choice in what they buy while helping strengthen the local food market.”

Since 2014, Germany has contributed €104 million (US$122 million) to WFP’s operations in Iraq. These funds have enabled WFP to provide nutritious food to the most vulnerable Iraqis and Syrian refugees every month.

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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.

For more information, please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):

Ingermarie Vennize/Iraq, Tel. +964(0)7809150938

Saif AlTatooz/Iraq, Tel. +964(0)7809156198

Abeer Etefa, WFP/Egypt, Tel. +2016663 4352

Dina El-Kassaby, WFP/Egypt, Tel. +201015218882