Colombia Floods - World Food Programme Response 2011

25-03-2011; Since April 2010 Colombia has experienced nearly continuous rain leading to flooding across the country specifically concentrated along the west and north-west coast. As of 7 March 2011 government figures indicate that 2 488 354 people have been affected and 331 killed since the start of the 2010 rainy season. The floods have destroyed 12 565 houses and damaged a further 350 131 sending 124 922 people to 587 emergency shelters across the country. With CIDA support WFP aims to provide food assistance to approximately 269 000 beneficiaries in isolated communities where government assistance has been unable to reach. WFP promotes a phased response first by providing emergency assistance (emergency food rations) to vulnerable communities where the food situation continues to be critical then transitioning to support for livelihoods through food for work and/or training activities. These activities are targeted to provide immediate access to food for affected and vulnerable families supporting the rehabilitation of livelihoods where appropriate and strengthening the capacity of local institutions to carry out food security and nutritional interventions.