The United Nations World Food Programme, WFP, has welcomed a contribution of US$3 million from the Government of Kuwait to provide emergency food assistance for thousands of Iraqi families affected by the on-going crisis in Mosul.

This contribution will allow WFP to provide vital food assistance for 140,000 people for one month through cash-based transfers (CBT), which enable families to buy the food items they prefer. WFP supports an increasing number of families all over Iraq with unrestricted cash or e-vouchers to spend in designated stores each month. Planning, delivery and evaluation of CBT and monthly food rations is carried out through an electronic SCOPE platform.

Speaking on the occasion, Sally Haydock, Country Director and Representative of WFP in Iraq, said, "We are grateful for the contribution from the State of Kuwait, which will help us provide food assistance to people who have either been displaced or are otherwise affected by the conflict."

More than 3 million Iraqis have been displaced by conflict since mid-June 2014. In response, WFP supports the families who are in need of food assistance with ready-to-eat food, monthly food rations, cash, and e-vouchers. CBT not only allows families to purchase food of their own choice, it also helps boost the local economy and create local jobs.