A few days ago I posted this article about Canada increasing its food aid contribution to the WFP by $45 million USD. With the increase in world food prices and Canada’s existing commitment to helping Nicaragua in November, I wondered if Canada will adjust their contribution to Nicaragua to account for the inflation of food prices. I also wondered if any of the $45 million donated to the WFP will be directed to Nicaragua, like how $10 million was directed to Haiti.

Two days ago I sent an email to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) asking these questions:

1. Will CIDA increase its funding to its earlier commitment of $4 million to Nicaragua (see this announcement) to help offset the global increase in food prices?
2. Of the $45 million, announced on April 30, going toward the World Food Programme, is any of that earmarked for Nicaragua?

Today I received a response from a representative from CIDA and stated that CIDA has no plans in contributing additional funds to Nicaragua’s food program. However the representative also pointed out that “all food aid allocations will be provided on the basis of need” meaning that Canada’s $45 million contribution to the WFP can include Nicaragua if the need arises.

Also in that email, I was encouraged to examine information at the WFP regarding the Programme’s initiatives in Nicaragua. Currently there are three projects in Nicaragua:

1. Hurricane Felix disaster relief
2. Regional disaster preparedness (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua)
3. Ongoing development in Nicaragua (2008 - 2012)

Canada top supporter, absent: the US

Of those three projects, Canada is the largest supporter of the ongoing development in Nicaragua. With the $4 million USD pledged in November 2007, Canada is on the top of the donor list, followed by Switzerland at $2 million. Conspicuously absent on this list is the United States.

The WFP’s project in Nicaragua, development programme 10597.0, includes:

• enhanced capacities and coordination to promote food security and nutrition focused on the most vulnerable groups;
• ensuring full access to health services;
• promotion of the education of children, adolescents and adults, with emphasis on disadvantaged people;
• promotion of policies, plans and programmes that will reduce environmental vulnerability and promote sustainable development; and
• enhanced government and community capacity in disaster prevention, mitigation and rehabilitation of disasters.

Canada’s $4 million contribution, though a minuscule amount compared to the country’s $1.4 trillion GDP, represents 23% of the WFP’s project in Nicaragua. There is still a 48%, or $8.8 million, shortfall in the program.

Technorati Tags: Nicaragua, food, Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA, WFP, Switzerland

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