The UN agency will run an operation to feed the most vulnerable groups in Zambia especially orphans who cannot afford to buy food even if it is available, WFP regional spokesperson Michael Huggins told AFP late Tuesday.
"WFP fed about 827 000 people in Zambia during the month of July," said Huggins.
Zambia is one of few countries in southern Africa that has produced a food surplus this year earmarked for export to four neighbouring countries including the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.
Other countries expected to buy food from Zambia are Angola and Namibia.
"We have been approached by these four and we have approved the export of 120 000 t," deputy agriculture minister Chance Kabaghe said in a recent interview with AFP.
In March this year, WFP bought 100 000 t of food commodities in Zambia at a cost of $18-million for its relief operation in southern Africa.
"Clearly, Zambia presents itself as a buying opportunity for WFP given that it has a surplus," Huggins said.
He added that more than 100 000 of those in need of food aid are refugees currently living in various camps in Zambia, a country sheltering close to 300 000 displaced people.
The harvest boom in Zambia has translated into a 30-million saving for the country from reduced imports, President Levy Mwanawasa recently said. – Sapa-AFP.
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