U.S. gov’t donates $30 million to WFP for emergency operation in South Sudan-Press Release
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- Category: International
- Published on Monday, 21 May 2012 18:22
- Written by Lydia Wamala of WFP and Phaedra Gwyn of U.S. Embassy
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Press Release
21 May 2012
U.S. GOVERNMENT DONATES US $30 MILLION
TO WFP’S EMERGENCY OPERATION IN SOUTH SUDAN
Juba – The United States Government has announced a cash donation of US$30 million toward the emergency relief operation of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to assist conflict-affected and food-insecure people in South Sudan. The contribution will be delivered through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The donation is in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Sudan, where an estimated one million people are severely food-insecure due to a cereal deficit, high food prices and inter-communal conflict.
“This generous contribution from the U.S. Government comes at a critical time when WFP is expanding its operation to respond to growing humanitarian needs,” said Chris Nikoi, WFP’s country director for South Sudan. “At the same time, we are preparing for the rapidly approaching rainy season, so we are extremely grateful to receive this crucial support.”
Due to South Sudan’s poor road network, about 60 percent of the country will become inaccessible during the rainy season. This contribution helps WFP complete prepositioning of much-needed commodities across South Sudan, where roads will soon become impassable.
“This contribution from the American people is part of the U.S. Government’s continuing support for the most vulnerable people in South Sudan, who are some of the most in need of food assistance to sustain them as they work to rebuild their lives,” said USAID South Sudan Mission Director Kevin Mullally.
The U.S. Government is the largest supporter of WFP’s operation in South Sudan, and including this donation has contributed more than US$110 million in 2012 to WFP’s emergency operation in the country.
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About United States Agency for International Development
The American people, through USAID, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for 50 years. For more information about USAID’s programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov.
About World Food Programme
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries. WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details see http://www.wfp.org/rss
For additional information, please contact:
Lydia Wamala, Public Information Officer, WFP
Tel: +211-922-465572
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phaedra Gwyn, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy
Tel: +211-912-157323
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
