World Bank to launch $100m-cash-assistance programme for vulnerable Sudanese

July 21, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The World Bank on Thursday agreed to provide $100 million in cash transfers and food to vulnerable families in Sudan through the World Food Programme (WFP).

The decision comes eight months after the suspension of its Sudan Family Support programme “Thamarat” in October 2021 after a military coup that ended the civilian-led transition.

The new safety programme will be fully implemented by the WFP which had provided technical assistance to the Sudanese government to operationalize Thumarat.

“The project aims to provide cash transfers and food to more than two million food insecure beneficiaries in 11 states in Sudan based on a vulnerability assessment carried out by WFP,” said the WB on Thursday.

Women, children, elders, and those with disabilities are the main beneficiaries of this fund.

According to the statement, this program will be funded by the European Union, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Norway, Canada, Italy, Finland, Spain and Ireland.

Also, the World Bank’s State and Peacebuilding Fund will contribute to this new support programme.

The measure is decided at the request of the international community to meet the needs of Sudanese, facing growing food insecurity and humanitarian risks.

The military-led government in Khartoum did not react to the announcement of the new direct support fund through the WFP.

Also, the WB underscored that the suspension of its operations with the Government of Sudan “remains in effect”.

The international community says the resumption of its direct financial and economic support to the Sudanese government is linked to the restoration of the civilian government.

(ST)