New Zealand pledges NZD$1.5M for WFP in Sudan

July 28, 2006 (WELLINGTON) — New Zealand will contribute NZD$1.5 million (US$926,000) to help the World Food Program’s efforts in the Darfur region of Sudan, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Friday.

The funds will help feed some 500,000 of the 1.8 million people displaced by conflict in the western Sudanese region, who depend on the United Nations agency for their basic needs, Peters said in a statement.

Ethnic conflict broke out in Darfur in 2003.

New Zealand’s contribution will go toward distributing food to refugee camps, with a focus on providing for women and children, he said.

“A peace agreement was signed by some of the warring parties in May, but it may be some time before it is safe for those displaced by the conflict to return their home areas,” he said.

“In the meantime, half a million people depend on the World Food Program for food assistance, and New Zealand’s grant will help provide for their needs.”

When people begin to return to their homes, the WFP will continue to provide supplies to ease that transition.

(ST/AP)