By Pajhwok Correspondent,February 07, 2008 NEW YORK (PAN)

Canada Wednesday announced an additional aid of $10 million to help the Afghans facing a severe shortage of food during harsh winter conditions in the impoverished country.

Canadian Minister for International Co-operation Beverley J. Oda in Ottawa, making the announcement, said the aid would be routed through the World Food Programme (WFP).

Canada's support will go a long way towards helping address this immediate need and to alleviating some of the hardships being caused by the harsh winter conditions this season, Oda hoped.

Welcoming the announcement, Afghan Ambassador to Canada Omar Samad told Pajhwok Afghan News it was good news and the aid would help those in dire need. With Afghanistan facing acute shortage of essential commodities and prices soaring, the UN and the Afghan government issued a joint global appeal for help last month.

"Canada consistently responds to the needs of Afghan people, and its enormous support to WFP means we can feed hundreds of thousands of people, especially women and children," said Rick Corsino, WFP's Country Director for Afghanistan.

OTTAWA, February 6, 2008— Today, the Government of Canada announced new funding to support a joint appeal from the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations (UN) to help Afghans address rising food costs.

“Canada is providing $10 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to help more than 2.5 million people in the country now facing food shortages as a result of rising food prices,” said the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation. “Canada’s support will go a long way towards helping address this immediate need and to alleviating some of the hardships being caused by the harsh winter conditions this season.”

In January, the UN, together with the Government of Afghanistan, launched a worldwide appeal for additional funds to address food shortages expected as a result of price increases. The cost of wheat flour has risen by an average of nearly 60 percent. This is making it difficult for Afghans to meet their most basic needs, particularly during the harsh winter months.

“Canada consistently responds to the needs of Afghan people, and its enormous support to WFP means we can feed hundreds of thousands of people, especially women and children,” said Rick Corsino, the WFP’s Country Director in Afghanistan. “With global food prices, particularly wheat, rising to all-time highs in the last 12 months, this contribution is greatly needed.”

Today’s announcement is in addition to the $25 million announced by Minister Oda last October in Kandahar, and demonstrates Canada’s continued commitment to providing basic needs to Afghans and their families. This new funding will also contribute to results being achieved in the country. In 2007 alone, more than 200,000 metric tonnes of food were distributed to an estimated reach of more than 6 million people across the country. In addition to addressing emergency humanitarian needs, Canada’s support to the WFP also includes assistance for community-improvement projects and literacy programs. For example, in Kandahar province, through the Food-for-Work Programme, more than 125 kilometres of roads have been rehabilitated, more than 30 wells and more than four million cubic metres of irrigation canals rehabilitated. Through the Food-for-Education Programme, up to 200 teachers have received training, more than 200 literacy courses are underway, and more than 5000 students have received books and materials.

http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cidaweb/acdicida.nsf/En/JOS-26153637-S6Y