Bruno Pueza: "UN World Food Program may resume assistance to Azerbaijan in the future"

- Why did the UN World Food Program decide to suspend food assistance to Azerbaijani refugees and IDP?

- The World Food Program has been functioning in Azerbaijan since the country gained its state independence and assisted it in the hardest times, during war and in period when the country has to deal with great many of refugees and IDPs.

Yet, since that time the economic state of Azerbaijan has improved so greatly that the government had an opportunity to cope with this task alone. Today the government of the country, which has all necessary opportunities and sufficient experience, is capable of settling this problem and the World Food Program has transferred due functions to it.

- Was the decision to suspend assistance coordinated with the Azerbaijani government?

- Sure. This decision was put off by request of the Azerbaijani government some time ago. The government agreed with the opinion of the World Food Program as Azerbaijan does not need aid to date.

Anyway, if the situation changes, the WFP will certainly resume assistance.

- Will it occur in case economic state in the country deteriorates?

- No, there can be difficulties in the stable system of food distribution. The program provides assistance to all our member-states and will observe the situation in Azerbaijan. The program is ready to resume assistance if necessary.

- Will the decision depend on donor country?

- On them too. Assistance will lie not only in distribution of food but also in the sphere of logistics, technical assistance, which Azerbaijan may need.

- In conclusion, do you expect any problems in the relations with the Azerbaijani government due to the decision of the program?

- I do not. I am sure the decision was faced with understanding.

Azerbaijan has already turned into a donor. The government of the country understands that the program has to focus on priorities to date.

/Day.Az/