North Caucasus to get the UN Food aid to the tune of $12.7 mln in 2002

In 2002 the UN World Food Programme (WFP) will provide assistance to the people of the North Caucasus to the tune of 12.7 million dollars, Alexander Yakovenko, the official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in his interview with RIA Novosti in connection with the upcoming visit to Russia by James Morris, the WFP Executive Director, scheduled for October 8-11.

Yakovenko also noted that in 2001 the WFP launched the global school feeding programme meant for 45,000 children, aged 6-12, in Chechnya and Ingushetia.

The diplomat noted that in 1999-2001 the foodstuff to the tune of $40 mln was delivered to the North Caucasus as part of the World Food programme..

In 1997 Russia was elected member of the WFP Executive Council for the first time, and in 2000 was re-elected for a three-year term.