USAID is to provide $50,000 to assist Nicaragua with food transportation costs, through the U. N. World Food Program.
The money will pay for delivering emergency food rations, potable water, and agricultural inputs to the Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region.
The Government of Nicaragua formally requested U.S. Government emergency assistance after widespread flooding due to heavy rains, which contributed to crop losses.
According to assessments made by the U.N. World Food Program, approximately 12,450 people require food assistance in the Rio Coco area and the municipality of Wiwili in the department of Jinotega.
The USAID Press Release
In response to an increasing problem with Nicaragua’s food insecurity, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing $50,000 through the U. N. World Food Program for transport costs associated with delivering emergency food rations, potable water, and agricultural inputs to Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region.
On August 24, President Enrique Bolanos signed a disaster declaration for the area near the Rio Coco in Waspam municipality in the remote Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region, due to serious harvest losses and related food insecurity.
A number of problems, including widespread flooding due to heavy rains, have contributed to crop losses. In two assessments made since that time, the U.N. World Food Program has reported approximately 12,450 people require food assistance in the Rio Coco area and the municipality of Wiwili in the department of Jinotega. On October 13, the Government of Nicaragua formally requested U.S. Government emergency assistance.
On October 14, U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua Paul A. Trivelli issued a disaster declaration due to food insecurity.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates as necessary.