By Kidega Livingstone
The government of Japan has committed $3.19 million to provide lifesaving food assistance to vulnerable populations in the country.
Through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the contribution is a part of 1,150 metric tons of rice Japan has transported to the crisis-torn counties.
According to the WFP, the emergency food aid will reach approximately 37,000 crisis-affected people including those displaced by conflict and flooding, as well as the population in counties classified under emergency and catastrophe food insecurity levels, according to the World Food Programme.
In addition to the emergency food distribution, the Japanese funding will also support school meal programs for 24,350 students across the country for a period of three months.
These school feeding initiatives are crucial in ensuring children continue to have access to nutritious meals, even during times of crisis.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mary Ellen McGroarty, Country Director for the WFP, emphasized the growing humanitarian needs in the country, triggered by the combined impact of conflict and devastating floods.
She noted that the crisis is expected to affect over 3 million people across the country.
“This contribution is timely and essential to ensure continued assistance to the most vulnerable people. We express our immense gratitude to the government and the people of Japan for their unwavering support and generosity,” she said.
“The school meals program is critical to ensuring children enrols and stay in school; it has proven to contribute to improving school attendance and has the potential to support the development of the human capital of South Sudan,” she added.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Toshio Odagiri, mentioned that the food assistance aims to address food insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan.
“We applauded the World Food Programme for their tremendous efforts to support the vulnerable people of South Sudan, despite the difficulties they face in delivering aid,” Odagiri said.
“The government of Japan will continue to remain committed to helping those suffering in South Sudan,” he added.
Chairperson Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Gatwech Peter Kulang, said that the contribution of the Japanese government shows solidarity for the people of South Sudan.
He said more than seven (7) million people now depend on humanitarian assistance in the country.
“It’s time for the donors to deepen and reaffirm support for humanitarian assistance. We are proud that the government of Japan and the people have started,” he said.
The government of Japan has been a trusted partner of the World Food Programme over the years. Since 2016, the Japanese government and the people of Japan have contributed over USD 50 million towards food assistance interventions in South Sudan channelled through the WFP.