Japan donates $9 million to WFP to tackle food insecurity in South Sudan

JUBA – The Japanese government has donated 9 million U.S dollars to help World Food Programme (WFP) fight food insecurity in South Sudan.

The contribution which was announced last week by the government of Japan will be use to assist more than 7.74 million people severely food insecure across the country.

The funds will be use to also aid 1.3 million children, 683,000 pregnant and lactating women who are expected to be malnourished this year.

The first grant of JPY400 million equivalents to U. S dollar $3 million will be used to procure 1,500 metric tons of rice that will assist 41,500 people facing severe food insecurity, according to UN Agency.

The second contribution of U.S $6 million will be used to procure cereals, oil, and pulses to assist around 234,000 people later in the year, it said.

“It is my hope that this Japanese food assistance will alleviate the suffering of the people of South Sudan and assist the country in pursuing development and prosperity,” TSUTSUMI Naohiro, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of South Sudan said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“I am also hopeful that South Sudan will unleash its huge agricultural potential to increase food security for all its citizens in the future. Japan continues to support South Sudan’s efforts to this end,” Naohiro said.

Makena Walker, WFP’s Acting Country Director in South Sudan said the funds will support WFP’s emergency programs to vulnerable groups mostly women, men, girls and boys in refugees and internally displaced populations camps.

“These two generous grants come at a critical time when the unprecedented food insecurity situation in South Sudan is deteriorating even further,” Walker said in a statement on Wednesday.

“While humanitarian needs are increasing sharply across the region and globe, we are grateful to see that Japan is maintaining its attention and commitment to supporting the people of South Sudan.”

The Government of Japan has supported WFP’s work in South Sudan since 2013; it has contributed more than US$44 million.