US donates $30 for emergency operation in South Sudan

May 22, 2012 (JUBA) — The US government has announced $30m cash donation
directed towards the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
emergency relief operation, specifically targeting conflict-affected
and food-insecure people in South Sudan.

The donation, to be delivered through the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) is reportedly in response to the
deteriorating humanitarian situation in the world’s newest nation,
where an estimated one million people are severely food-insecure due
to a cereal deficit, high food prices and inter-communal conflict.

“This generous contribution from the U.S. Government comes at a
critical time when WFP is expanding its operation to respond to
growing humanitarian needs,” Chris Nikoi, WFP’s country director for
South Sudan said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

“At the same time, we are preparing for the rapidly approaching rainy
season, so we are extremely grateful to receive this crucial support,”
he added.

With about 60 percent of the country said to be inaccessible during
the rainy seasons due to South Sudan’s poor road network, it’s widely
believed that this contribution will help WFP complete prepositioning
of much-needed commodities across the country.

“This contribution from the American people is part of the U.S.
Government’s continuing support for the most vulnerable people in
South Sudan, who are some of the most in need of food assistance to
sustain them as they work to rebuild their lives,” said Kevin
Mullally, said USAID South Sudan mission director.

Last week, the UN launched an appeal for emergency operations funds in
South Sudan as thousands of South Sudanese returnees started arriving
into the country from neighboring Sudan.

In a related development, the World Bank has also donated $38m
earmarked to enhance South Sudan’s rural roads as a way of improving
service delivery.

Witnessing the agreement, Kosti Manibe, South Sudan’s finance and
economic planning minister lauded the World Bank for its assistance,
saying improving rural roads will boost trade, create more jobs and
enhance effective service delivery to citizens.

The funds, according to a press statement from the ministry, will
mainly be used to upgrade and rehabilitate rural roads linking
productive agricultural areas to market centers, and to strengthen the
ability of the ministry of roads and bridges to manage rural
infrastructure.

Laura Kullenburg, the World Bank country manager for South Sudan said
grant is part of the South Sudan Transition Trust Fund (SSTF),
established by the financial institution to provide bridge financing
to the new nation in period between its independence until such a time
when it begins benefitting from services offered to member countries.

(ST)