China contributes US$7 million to support WFP's food assistance in South Sudan
JUBA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a US$7 million contribution from the People’s Republic of China to bolster its food and nutrition assistance in South Sudan where about 5 million people are unable to meet their food needs.
The contribution will enable WFP to purchase rice, pulses and other commodities that will be used to provide school meals and general food rations to more than 126,000 people in areas most affected by conflict and food insecurity.
“China will stand with the people of South Sudan at this time of food crisis,” said H.E. He Xiangdong, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan. “This new contribution is part of our commitment to support the efforts by the Government of South Sudan and humanitarian agencies to provide adequate food to South Sudanese facing hunger.”
In 2018 WFP has supported about 5 million crisis-affected and vulnerable people in South Sudan with 259,000 metric tons of food and US$24.5 million in cash transfers. However, food assistance needs have continued to increase with 5.2 million expected to be severely food insecure between January and March 2019, according to latest food security assessments.
Moreover, with a possible return of South Sudanese refugees from neighbouring countries, needs are expected to increase—further stretching WFP’s available resources.
“The Chinese contribution came at a critical time when WFP is appealing for more resources to respond to increasing needs,” said Adnan Khan, WFP Country Director. “In particular, the support to our school meals activity is an invaluable investment in the next generation and the country’s overall development.”
To ensure continued assistance for the first six months of 2019 and preposition food in remote locations that are cut off during the rainy season, WFP in South Sudan urgently requires US$179 million.
WFP notes with appreciation that China’s support to its operations has grown significantly in recent years. With Chinese contributions in 2015 and 2017, WFP in South Sudan was able to purchase about 4,600 metric tons of food that covered emergency food rations to about 290,000 people.
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