UK Supports Launch Of WFP Cash Assistance Programme In Sudan
KHARTOUM – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a contribution of GB£2.2 million (approximately US$3.2 million) from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) for the launch of a cash assistance programme in Sudan’s Darfur region.
The contribution will allow WFP to provide cash assistance for nine months to 25,000 displaced people in selected parts of Darfur. Using cash distribution mechanisms that are currently available in Darfur, WFP will transfer 52 Sudanese Pounds (approximately US$8.6) per person. People benefiting from this assistance will be able to buy food from designated shops participating in WFP’s cash and vouchers programme.
“The UK remains committed to working with international partners to deliver assistance to some of Sudan’s most vulnerable populations,” said the Head of DFID Sudan, Chris Pycroft. “This exciting partnership with WFP delivers not just essential assistance but also increases the choice available to the people targeted through this programme. We hope that this is a first step in increasing the use of cash-based assistance in Sudan, a mechanism that can increase cost efficiency and also support the dignity of targeted populations.”
In addition to provision of cash assistance, this DFID contribution will also fund a study to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the cash assistance programme in improving the food security and nutritional status of people benefiting from it.
“We are constantly developing innovative, efficient and effective ways through which we can improve the lives of those whom we assist in Sudan. Thanks to this contribution from the people of Britain, we can continue,” said WFP Representative and Country Director Adnan Khan. “We and our partners are all very excited to get this programme up and running and see its positive effects on the families we support.”
DFID is WFP’s major donor for its vouchers assistance programme in Sudan. Since 2013, DFID has contributed GB£50.6 million to WFP’s vouchers programme in the country.
In July 2015, WFP launched a new two-year plan in Sudan to provide 5.2 million people by mid-2017 with life-saving food assistance, nutrition support as well as recovery and resilience-building activities to help communities become self-reliant. This includes
1.3 million displaced people in Darfur in 2016, of whom 446,537 will receive assistance through the cash and vouchers programme.
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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 (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):
Amor Almagro, WFP/Khartoum, Tel. +249 183248001 (ext. 2114), Mob. +249 912174853
Abdulaziz Abdulmomin, WFP/Khartoum, Tel. +249 183248001 (ext. 2123), Mob. +249 912167055
Ahmed Eltayeb, WFP/Khartoum, Tel. +249183248001 (ext. 2110), Mob. +249 912505210
