United Nations Radio

The UN World Food Programme has sent urgently needed food assistance to northwest Pakistan to help feed more than 2 million people displaced by fighting between Government forces and militants.

WFP is providing a highly nutritious food supplement known as Plumpy Doz , made up of a peanut paste containing skim milk, sugar, vitamins and minerals. The supplement will be distributed to children under the age of 5 who have been identified as needing urgent additional assistance.

© UNHCR/A.Fazzina/May 2009

The agency was already feeding more than 6 million people in Pakistan before the recent crisis, including a half a million girls attending school.

WFP Spokesperson in Pakistan, Amjad Jamal told UN Radio that in addition to feeding those who have been displaced in this current crisis, the agency is working with Pakistan's military to reach those trapped in the Swat Valley:

" We have offered if they want to airlift or airdrop the food for those communities who are stuck, today's military has also informed us that they have flown in 25 tons of food for these people who have been stuck. And they also did an earlier round of food distribution."

The World Food Programme, in cooperation with the Government of Pakistan and the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has created humanitarian hubs to distribute food in protected areas close to the homes of displaced families.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.
duration: 1'25"