WFP: Last US wheat shipment to Yemen arrives in Hodaida port

World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Tuesday the arrival of the last consignment of wheat from the United States of America to Yemen through the Programme. "The bulk carrier Dokos, carrying more than 15,000 metric tons of wheat flour has docked in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah and is discharging its cargo," a WFP news release read. This is the final part of a 42,000 metric ton flour donation to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) from the United States Government's Food for Peace office. The wheat will be milled in Hodeida before being distributed by WFP to some of the 600,000 Yemenis displaced by conflict and instability who are receiving WFP rations this year. WFP used the two previous shipments in its operation to provide emergency food rations to 3.5 million severely food insecure people, who struggle to buy or produce enough food for a healthy life on a daily basis. "This latest shipment will enable us to ensure that the supply of staple foods to millions of Yemenis who are unable to meet their basic nutrition needs remains uninterrupted," said WFP Country Director Bishow Parajuli. "WFP is grateful to the Government and people of the United States for their consistent support in helping us meet this crucial challenge." The U.S. is a key donor to WFP activities in Yemen. Last year, it provided WFP with more than 46,000 metric tons of food, valued at almost US$40 million, enough food to feed more than two million hungry Yemenis for six months. This year, the U.S. is contributing US$50 million to WFP's operations in Yemen. In 2013, WFP's primary operations in Yemen aim to reach five million people with a focus on three main areas: emergency food assistance for 3.5 million food insecure people and cash transfers for another 400,000; food assistance to 600,000 internally displaced people; and nutritional support for 405,000 children under five and 157,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers.