U.S. Provides Lentils as Part of Its On-Going Humanitarian Assistance to Lebanon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2006
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
Dubai, UAE - Today, the United States Government (USG), through the Agency for International Development (USAID), contributed 300 metric tons of lentils to the World Food Programme for immediate release and transport to Lebanon. The U.S. contribution comes from its pre-positioned stockpile in Dubai and will be used to respond to the immediate food needs of those affected by the conflict.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Michele J. Sison stated, "The food supplies from the stockpile in Dubai is part of the disaster relief that will help the Lebanese people rebuild their homes and return to their towns and communities."
The World Food Programme will utilize these commodities through its regional emergency operation which is assisting 350,000 conflict-affected people within Lebanon, through October, 2006. The lentils are scheduled to arrive in Lebanon next week.
Lentils are high in protein and were chosen because they are culturally acceptable and were among those commodities the U.S. had available in the region.
Funding for this contribution is part of the U.S. Government's commitment of $230 million for humanitarian, reconstruction and security assistance to Lebanon announced by President Bush on August 21, 2006.
For more information on the U.S. Government's humanitarian efforts in the region, please visit USAID's website at:
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/middle_east/.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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