U.S announces $223 million in food aid to South Sudan

JUBA – The United States government Thursday announced its contribution of $223 million to the UN agency, World Food Programme (WFP), to support 5.5 million people facing hunger in South Sudan.

The combined contribution of $106 million from the Ukraine Supplemental Fund will be used to assist 2.4 million mostly women, and children, and $117 million to feed 1.1 million people facing severe hunger across the country.

The U.S donation came after the UN World Food Programme in April cut food aid to 1.7 million due to a funding shortfall of $426 million.

The aid will be used to purchase sorghum, vegetable oil, and nutritious food for infants less than five years of age and pregnant or nursing mothers.

Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster said the U.S contribution will help to address the critical needs of the population facing a humanitarian crisis.

“South Sudan is already facing unprecedented humanitarian needs and the situation is likely to deteriorate even further with the impact of the global food crisis,” Nyandeng said during a handover ceremony in Juba on Thursday.

Adeyinka Badejo, the UN WFP Acting Country Director, said the aid will enable WFP to avert a worsening humanitarian situation in the country.

“We have recently seen a dramatic increase in hunger across the country. With these new resources WFP will be able to avert a worsening situation for the population,” said Badejo.

“This lifesaving contribution demonstrates the U.S. Government’s strong commitment to the people of South Sudan.

William Flens, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires urged the government to address the drivers of sub-national violence that contribute to the humanitarian crises in order to help in mitigation.

“The United States has stood with the South Sudanese people from the beginning of this country, and even before independence,” Flens said.

“We continue to urge the Government of South Sudan to address the drivers of sub-national violence that contribute to the humanitarian crises our assistance is helping to mitigate.”

South Sudan continues to face a dire humanitarian situation with 7.74 million foods insecure, according to UN Agencies.

The organizations said the widespread food insecurity is driven by conflict, flooding, drought, and increasing food prices that have worsened because of the crisis in Ukraine.