The World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations food relief agency, said today that the two-year long conflict in eastern Ukraine has left around 1.5 million people hungry, including 300,000 in urgent need of food assistance.

Giancarlo Stopponi, WFP Country Representative stated, “two years of violence, shelling and fear have left an indelible mark on thousands of people in eastern Ukraine. As the conflict continues, we need to reach these people urgently. We appeal to all parties of the conflict to facilitate full and unimpeded humanitarian access to people in need across the country.”

The WFP has rendered emergency assistance to over half a million people in need since November 2014, including 370,000 recipients of monthly food packages and 180,000 beneficiaries of cash assistance in areas where markets are still functioning. Those living in the non-government controlled area of Luhansk and near the conflict line are the most affected by food insecurity. Since the WFP had no presence in Ukraine prior to the crisis, they are now operating in partnership with other UN agencies to provide assistance to the neediest people, particularly those still trapped in hostile areas.

To read more, visit:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53602#.VwatWseLTww
http://www.wfp.org/ukraine-crisis
https://neurope.eu/article/conflict-ukraine-leaves-1-5-million-people-hungry-world-food-programme/