Through the windows of a bulletproof car

From Maiduguri to Juba in bulletproof cars, the World Food Programme will do whatever it takes to feed hungry families. [WFPUSA.org]( Dear {NAME}, I recently returned from Maiduguri, Nigeria — ground zero for the World Food Programme (WFP)'s lifesaving emergency operations in the country. Right now 50,000 people in northeastern Nigeria stand on the brink of famine and many more don't know where their next meal will come from. The nearly decade-long Boko Haram insurgency has left millions of people with limited access to food. As a WFP Communications Officer, I saw up close the devastating impact of conflict and hunger, which is currently made worse by the start of the hunger season — the time between harvests when food runs out. Everyday WFP is working tirelessly to overcome obstacles to fight child malnutrition and feed families fleeing the violence. But I'm terrified the situation could get even worse. This is the period when the region's many small farmers plant the next harvests, but insecurity means many can’t even access their fields. [Right now, you have a special opportunity to deliver TWICE as much lifesaving food to people in northeast Nigeria who’ve lost their homes to Boko Haram’s violence — as well as families caught in crisis zones around the world.]( Families fleeing conflict and hunger need your help [Food being delivered to families fleeing conflict in northeast Nigeria]( Goal: $75,000 [Make your emergency gift to WFP USA to unlock an additional $75,000.]( Determined to meet the people who need WFP's help, we drove in a bulletproof car to the Gubio camp, home to thousands of displaced families. Under a scorching sun, I saw mostly women standing in line for food assistance — dried beans, sacks of rice or sorghum and corn-soya blend, and fortified vegetable oil. We are also distributing Plumpy’Sup, a nutrient-packed, peanut paste for young children suffering from malnutrition. I learned another painful layer to this story. A funding shortfall has forced WFP to pare down food assistance at Gubio by nearly one-third. This means, for the moment, that WFP can only target children under two with nutritional assistance — instead of all vulnerable children under five. Despite new and generous funding commitments, there still won't be enough resources to feed all hungry families. Right now, in northeast Nigeria 5.2 million people face severe hunger and tens of thousands are standing on the brink of famine. That's why I'm asking you to support World Food Program USA's match campaign to raise $75,000 by the end of this week. [It's an incredible opportunity to support hungry families who have lost everything to conflict and natural disasters.]( During my trip to Maiduguri, I talked with survivors of the region's many deadly attacks; mourners of lost loved ones. They just want the conflict to end so they can return home. For so many, fleeing violence is the new normal. Yet somehow, with the help of WFP, they find a way to carry on, the young and the old. Just one day after I left Nigeria, Boko Haram unleashed its biggest attack on Maiduguri in 18 months. This senseless violence compounded by the hunger season in northeast Nigeria is making WFP's challenge of reaching hungry families that much harder. But WFP knows how to stop famine and is doing whatever it takes to deliver emergency lifesaving food. Despite the challenges and hardships that the people in northeast Nigeria face, they are determined to survive. The WFP staff on the ground are as equally determined to help them. [With people like you, determined to make the world a better place, I know that together we can prevent the spread of suffering — together we can save lives.]( Sincerely, Lisa Bryant Communications Officer World Food Programme Our future begins with food. With the support of people like you, we can do good better. [Donate]( [Give Monthly]( [1725 I Street NW, Suite 510](#) | Washington, DC 20006 | Fax [(202) 530-1698](#) DONOR INQUIRIES [(202) 627-3939](#) | GENERAL INQUIRIES [(202) 627-3737](#) [WFP Logo]( [Facebook Logo]( [Twitter Logo]( [ShareTheMeal Logo]( [Instagram Logo]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Youtube Logo]( World Food Program USA is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) public charity (tax ID# 13-3843435) This email was sent to {EMAIL}. 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