WFP South Sudan welcomes $1.29m donation from France
July 7, 2022 (JUBA) – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed the French government’s contribution of $1.29 million meant for provision of nutritional assistance to thousands of people in South Sudan.
According to the humanitarian agency, more than 7.74 million people in Africa’s newest nation are increasingly hungry after years of conflict, the impact of climate shocks such as flooding as well as economic crises.
“WFP will use this contribution to provide specialized nutrition assistance for the treatment and prevention of malnutrition in 24,222 children between the age of 6-23 months, as well as pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Additionally, 25,000 people, mainly women, will receive training and awareness-raising sessions in nutrition best practices,” said the agency.
In a statement, the French embassy in South Sudan affirmed its support for the population facing a catastrophic situation due to rising food insecurity.
“After having provided the WFP with funding of 1.15 million euros (USD $1.24 million) in 2021, France is glad to participate again this year in the WFP’s nutrition assistance operations, essential to the survival of the South Sudanese population,” said Marc Trouyet, Franc’s envoy to South Sudan.
About 7.7million people in South Sudan are food insecure this year, the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report indicates.
The IPC projections further noted that an estimated 1.34 million children under the age of five could suffer from acute malnutrition, with the most affected states being Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
“South Sudan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and we have seen a sharp rise in the number of malnourished children in some areas this year,” said Adeyinka Badejo, Acting Country Director of WFP South Sudan.
He described as “critical” the French government’s contribution to WFP.
“The look of despair in the faces of the children impacted is unsettling. This remains a key priority for WFP in South Sudan and France’s contribution will play a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of malnutrition for some of the most vulnerable women and children”, stressed Badejo.
Last month, the world’s largest humanitarian agency announced that it would suspend distributing food aid to nearly one-third of the acutely food insecure population in the young nation, citing critical funding shortages.
(ST)