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Algeria + 1 more

WFP Algeria Country Brief, August 2017

Attachments

Highlights

  • Thanks to generous donor contributions, WFP Algeria foresees the distribution of complete rations until year-end.

  • No funding forecasts or projections have been committed for 2018. To avoid funding constraints hindering life-saving assistance, as in early 2017, WFP Algeria must secure additional funding in the coming months (USD 5 million for the first three months of 2018).

  • In August, for the first time in five months, WFP distributed the Specialized Nutritious Food (SNF)
    Plumpy’Sup to treat malnourished children under the age of 5.

  • In the next months, WFP Algeria has most SNF to treat and prevent malnutrition and anemia in young children, and pregnant and nursing mothers, however Micronutrient Powders are still unavailable.

Operational Updates

  • In August, WFP distributed 125,000 full rations consisting of 8 kg wheat flour, 2 kg barley, 2 kg rice, 2 kg split peas, 2 kg barley, 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of corn soy blend (CSB) and 1 ltr of fortified vegetable oil. Each ration reached an average energy intake of 2,129 kcal per person per day.

  • Under its nutrition activity to fight Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), WFP distributed daily rations of 100 g Corn Soya Blend (CSB+), 10 g vegetable oil and 7.5 g sugar to treat 530 moderately malnourished pregnant women and nursing mothers. These women and an additional 7,566 pregnant women and nursing mothers received 16g of dates for 31 days to increase their energy intake. These dates are part of the in-kind contribution by Saudi Arabia received annually for the celebration of Ramadan.

  • For the first time in months, Plumpy’Sup, a special product for the treatment of malnourished children was available. WFP was able to distribute the product to 395 children, who received daily rations of 31g for 31 days. Other products to prevent MAM in children and women were not available.

Challenges

  • WFP has been unable to distribute specialised nutritious food (SNF) in 2017 needed to prevent and treat acute malnutrition (MAM) in children and women. The lack of these products seriously impacts the most vulnerable and might lead to an increase of MAM in the camps. Since August, WFP Algeria has most SNF, albeit one product for women is still missing (Micronutrient Powder). Additional funding is needed to fully cover this activity.

  • In the last two months, WFP has received contributions amounting to almost USD 10 million to cover the General Food Distribution until the end of the year, following intense advocacy efforts. Nevertheless, additional funds have to be secured in the coming months to ensure food distribution to continue in early 2018, so as to avoid the five to six month funding gaps experience in early 2017. Funding constraints led in early 2017 to rations cuts and diminished food basket diversity.

  • Many of the commodities, purchased internationally, experience a three to four month lead times (purchase and transport). This means that funds have to available long before the actual distribution to ensure efficient and effective planning and programming of contributions.

Complementary activities

  • WFP’s new innovative project to use low-tech hydroponic units to grow fresh animal fodder in the camps is extremely successful and highly appreciated by refugees. The fresh fodder has a direct impact on livestock’ health and on milk and meat production. In August 2017, there are more than 60 hydroponic units in the camps managed by refugee families. To continue this innovative project that enhances food security in the camps, additional funding is needed.
    Country Background & Strategy