South Sudan contributes 15 million USD to WFP to support food aid

JUBA — The South Sudanese government on Wednesday contributed 15 million U.S. dollars to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to boost food availability to vulnerable people.

Dier Tong Ngor, Minister of Finance and Planning, stated that the government’s contribution to the WFP comes at a time when the East African nation is seeing a large influx of returnees and refugees from neighbouring Sudan.

He added that the government’s contribution follows last year’s UN General Assembly pledge of $10 million to support WFP activities in the country, but Juba chose to contribute $15 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the new Food Shock Window of the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).

“When we were negotiating with the IMF the Food Shock Window, we made sure that in the implementation of the resources that were given to us that we will make an allocation first to meet our commitment that we have pledged during the UN General Assembly but also we thought we can do more so instead of us contributing 10 million, we agreed that 15 million dollars will be implemented through the World Food Program,” Tong said.

The Minister also stated that the government will provide the funds to the World Food Programme as soon as possible so that the organization can respond to the flood of refugees and returnees escaping turmoil in Sudan.

According to Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP country director in South Sudan, the gift to the WFP is a significant milestone that will include emergency assistance to vulnerable individuals as well as the school feeding program.

She stated that South Sudan’s money comes at a critical moment when relief organizations are coping with the situation in Sudan, where over 40,000 refugees have arrived, and that civilians require food help as the lean season approaches.