WFP/1035

WFP REQUESTS URGENT FOOD AIRLIFTS FOR CHECHENS

The WFP, the United Nations food aid agency, requested that the United States Government undertake an immediate airlift of 160 metric tons of humanitarian daily rations -- or some 140,000 prepared meals -- to feed the expected outflow of people from the Chechen capital, Grozny. The meals, which will feed some 20,000 people for about one week, are intended to provide sustenance for the expected displaced people until they find temporary shelter.

WFP officials believe the Chechens will flee towards the Russian autonomous republics of Ingushetia and North Ossetia, to the west of Chechnya, on two safe corridors leading outside the embattled republic.

At WFP's request, the United States in July airlifted 40 metric tons -- or 35,000 prepared meals -- for displaced people from Chechnya. The food, intended as a contingency stock, was stored in Dagestan, east of Chechnya, and is now being trucked to WFP's western base of operations in North Ossetia. WFP also intends to locally purchase canned meat and fish for immediate distribution to people fleeing the fighting.

Once the displaced Chechens have found shelter, WFP will provide them a basket or basic food items. For the past 18 months the Programme has been feeding up to 220,000 people who have fled the military confrontation in the secessionist Chechen republic. WFP distributes food in Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia -- the areas to which most of the Chechens have fled.

The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) this year donated $3 million in assistance to help displaced Chechens. The United States has donated $1.34 million and Sweden has donated $450,000.

The World Food Programme is the largest international food aid organization in the world. Last year it fed more than 50 million people, including half of the world's refugees and internally displaced people.

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United Nations