Japan Makes US$8.4 Million Contribution To WFP For Emergency Needs In South Sudan

Japan has allocated approximately US$7.4 million to the emergency operation in response to the famine in the country. WFP will use the funds to purchase more than 24,000 bags of sorghum, a staple food in South Sudan, which will ensure provision of food assistance to more than 17,000 people for three months. In addition, the funds will be used to sustain WFP nutrition support with fortified nutritious foods for three months for 26,000 mothers and 37,000 children facing acute malnutrition.

Japan has also allocated funds to support UNHAS, a vital common air service that WFP manages on behalf of the wider humanitarian community. UNHAS provides air transport and cargo services for 240 humanitarian organizations delivering life-saving assistance in South Sudan. The funding received from the Government of Japan will allow UNHAS to continue flying humanitarian workers to hard-to-reach areas of the country where the needs are most severe.

“During my tenure alone, the food insecurity profile of South Sudanese has become even more dire and widespread,” said HE Kiya Masahiko, Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan, as he appealed for international solidarity to save lives. “Japan’s assistance in food distribution through WFP may be a drop in the ocean, but we stand behind the international efforts to uplift people to minimum nutrition standards.”

“Japan’s generous contribution to WFP comes at a time when hunger is a dangerous reality for nearly half of South Sudan’s population after more than three years of conflict,” said Hakan Falkell, Officer-in-Charge for WFP in South Sudan. “WFP is doing everything it can to reach people facing severe hunger. Monthly food assistance is a lifeline for millions of people, and without support from our partners like the Government of Japan, we would not be able to provide this assistance.”

Japan continues to be a strong supporter of WFP’s response in South Sudan at a time when needs in the country are rising and donor resources are stretched by multiple crises across the world.

WFP still requires additional funding of US$205 million for its food and nutrition operations in South Sudan and an additional US$8 million to continue UNHAS operations in the country over the next six months.

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.

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For more information please contact:

Challiss McDonough, WFP/Nairobi (currently in Juba): mobile:+254-707-722-104, challiss.mcdonough@wfp.org

Koji Ito, Embassy of Japan in South Sudan, Juba: Tel: +211 956 481 145, koji.ito-2@mofa.go.jp