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Belgium strengthens ties with World Food Programme

23:00 30/01/2018

Belgium has strengthened its partnership with the World Food Programme, with the country donating €20 million last year in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

The Belgian support in 2017 helped provide food to 14.5 million people in emergency situations in nine countries, WFP said.

"We welcome Belgium's uninterrupted support in a year characterised by multiple crises and rising needs," said Elisabeth Rasmusson, deputy executive director of the WFP.

"Belgium's flexible financing and its support for the forgotten crises in Africa were crucial in ensuring timely assistance, and have enabled WFP and its partners to help the most disadvantaged."

With the money Belgium provided, the World Food Programme was able to tackle issues in the Kasai region in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than three million people did not know where their next meal was coming from.

Belgium also funded a programme where the WFP organises a series of workshops on the use of drones in emergency situations.

Belgian deputy prime minister and minister for development cooperation, Alexander De Croo, said: "I am determined to continue the partnership between Belgium and the WFP to fight hunger and malnutrition in places such as Syria, Yemen, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo."

The World Food Programme helps about 80 million people a year in 80 countries, providing food aid in emergencies and improving nutrition among communities.

Written by Molly Dove