The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a USD 1 million contribution from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance to provide cash assistance to help food-insecure, displaced people in Armenia cover their food needs until the end of June.

“We highly appreciate this generous  contribution from USAID, which will help us reach more people and enable them to buy their basic food needs from local markets,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Armenia Jelena Milesovic.

By enabling people to purchase food from local markets, cash will help to strengthen and promote the local markets, also making direct positive impacts on the local economy.

A recent WFP Food Security Assessment shows the food security levels of people have been negatively affected by the conflict.

“The donation will complement the national efforts undertaken by the Government of Armenia through its national social programme to support food insecure people who have been affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

This cash assistance will help many people across the country to avoid negative coping mechanisms such as, eating less or borrowing money to buy food. The displaced populations will be able to cover their immediate food needs and have access to a nutritious diet,” WFP said in a statement.