Joint Statement On Progress Made In The Passage Of Humanitarian Assistance Through Sudan To South Sudan

The implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Sudan and South Sudan in July 2014 allowing the passage of humanitarian assistance from Sudan to South Sudan for a six-month period and extended in December 2014 for a similar period, is helping hundreds of thousands of people who face acute hunger due to the ongoing conflict.

The good coordination and collaboration between the two governments has enabled WFP to deliver 5,917 metric tons of food assistance, donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in a smooth and successful manner for distribution to nearly 267,000 people mainly in Maban, Melut, Renk and Wadakona in the northern part of Upper Nile State in South Sudan.

Following the signing of the MoU, the Joint Technical Committee held weekly meetings, and made two field visits to Kosti, White Nile State for follow-up and close monitoring to ensure smooth and successful management of the operation.

To deliver the urgently needed food assistance ahead of the approaching rainy season which will render many roads impassable, WFP has ramped up its logistics capacity by contracting an additional 60 trucks with the capacity to deliver a total of 2,700 metric tons food. An estimated 16,200 metric tons of food assistance will be delivered from April to June by eight convoys of 25 trucks per month.

The Joint Technical Committee avails itself of this opportunity to express its highest gratitude and appreciation to authorities from both governments, WFP Sudan, the White Nile state government and local communities who exerted great efforts towards the success of the whole operation and looks forward to further support of all those involved for the success of the humanitarian operation.