WFP welcomes $9m aid for food insecurity in South Sudan
August 17, 2022 (JUBA) – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday welcomed the Japanese government’s contribution of an estimated up to $9 million meant for tackling food insecurity in South Sudan.
The Japanese government announced the aid at a ceremony last week.
WFP, in a statement, descried the donation as a “timely” contribution to the hunger situation in a country where over 7.8 million people are food insecure.
“The contributions will help support up to 300,000 people through 2022. The first grant of JPY400 million (approximately US$3 million) will be used to procure 1,500 metric tons of rice that will assist 41,500 people facing severe food insecurity,” WFP noted in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
According to the world’s largest humanitarian agency, the second contribution of $6 million that was also approved would enable it to procure cereals, oil, and pulses to assist around 234,000 people later in the year.
“These two generous grants come at a critical time when the unprecedented food insecurity situation in South Sudan is deteriorating even further,” explained WFP’s Acting Country Director, Makena Walker.
“While humanitarian needs are increasing sharply across the region and globe, we are grateful to see that Japan is maintaining its attention and commitment to supporting the people of South Sudan,” he stressed.
These two contributions from Japan reportedly come at a time when widespread loss of livelihoods due to conflict and climate shocks have put millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance across the country.
WFP said the Japanese government’s funding would support its emergency programmes with a special focus on vulnerable individuals or groups in crisis-affected areas, refugees and the internally displaced populations.
“It is my hope that this Japanese food assistance will alleviate the suffering of the people of South Sudan and assist the country in pursuing development and prosperity. I am also hopeful that South Sudan will unleash its huge agricultural potential to increase food security for all its citizens in the future,” said Japan’s envoy to South Sudan, Tsutsumi Naohiro.
She added, “Japan continues to support South Sudan’s efforts to this end”.
The Japanese government has supported WFP’s work in South Sudan since 2013, contributing more than $44 million in humanitarian aid assistance.
(ST)