The Australian Government announced that it is providing $3.1 million to the World

Food Programme (WFP) to address critical food shortages facing the poorest people

of Cambodia. The food aid, agreed to with the Royal Government on Dec 28, will be

distributed through WFP's new Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation, according

to an embassy press release.

WFP will use the funds donated by AusAID to support its ëfood-for-work' activities

such as building rural roads, irrigation canals and developing other agricultural

infrastructure. Approximately 1.7 million Cambodians are now benefiting from the

program, the embassy says.