WFP welcomes EU support to conflict-hit S. Sudan

May 14, 2015 (JUBA) – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a €13 million ($13.8 million) contribution from the European Union (EU) earmarked for lifesaving assistance to people affected by South Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

“We are grateful to the people of the European Union for these vital funds, which are a sign that the world has not forgotten the millions of people in need of help in South Sudan,” Joyce Luma, WFP Country Director said in a statement.

The €13 million contribution reportedly came from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), including €10 million for WFP’s emergency food assistance to people displaced by fighting, mainly in the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity, as well as in protection of civilians’ areas those hosting large numbers of the internally displaced.

“The funds will be used to purchase sorghum, salt and specialised nutritional supplements to help prevent and treat malnutrition in children,” reads the statement.

“A further €2 million (US$2.1 million) is allocated to the logistics cluster, which is managed by WFP to coordinate and move relief supplies of all types for the wider humanitarian community in South Sudan”, it added.

Since the start of the South Sudanese conflict in 2013, the EU has reportedly provided nearly $50 million for WFP operations and its managed common services.

According to aid agencies, nearly 18 months of fighting in South Sudan has forced two million people from homes, damaged farming, trade and has devastated people’s lives.

Millions of people are facing increased food insecurity with the start of the lean season this month and economic hardship are exposing more people to higher poverty levels.

(ST).