ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) made purchases of over $68 million from Pakistan during 2006-07.

WFP’s procurement unit that purchases food commodities, non- food items and services, has had a busy time since the start of the year during which it made purchases worth $2.1 million of food commodities and $1.7 million of non-food inputs for Pakistan programmes.

“WFP shares the Pakistani government’s commitment to eradicate poverty and the organisation has proven a reliable, low-cast and high impact means for reaching the poor,” Peter French, WFP country director in Pakistan, said.

According to a press release, as much as 38,621 metric tons of commodities of which wheat comprised the major chunk followed by yellow split peas, vitamin fortified biscuits, salt and sugar were purchased. The commodities were for operations being conducted by the WFP in the earthquake-affected areas of Azad Kashmir and the NWFP.

The significant procurements were mainly for reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes. These purchases included green houses, interlocking block-making machines, sewing machines, fruit and vegetable nursery tool kits and seeds.

In 2006, the WFP procured 62,438 metric tons of commodities from Pakistan for its programme within the country including wheat, yellow split peas, rice, high energy biscuits, iodised salt and blended food whereas a total of 51.499 metric tons of mixed commodities were procured during 2007.

Peter French further said: “For almost 40 years, the WFP has been a steadfast partner of the Pakistani government in its relief and development efforts. Since 1968 the WFP has invested more than $1.4 billion assisting successive generations of Pakistan’s poorest citizens and the refugees who sought its shelter.

The WFP has invested over $90 million in local logistic services, and has expended $40 million on tools, equipment and other non-food items from local industry for its operations in Pakistan and abroad.”

Similarly, the WFP spent $15.7 million for purchasing non- food items last year. The top non-food items included the ICT equipment, shipping containers and security material. It also consisted of products like green houses and kitchen garden tools. The significant services procured under this category comprised cargo handling and construction of WFP warehouse.

Pakistan has been instrumental in the procurement of commodities for World Food Programme’s ongoing operations in Afghanistan. This amounted to $11.8 million till December 2007.

Among the biggest number of purchases made by the WFP in various countries, Pakistan is ranked third behind Uganda and Ethiopia at a total of $34.7 million in 2006.