Japan’s $6.5m donation will stem food insecurity, says WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme says $6.5m contribution from the Japanese government was timely, as it is the start of the lean season when more than 7.2 million people in South Sudan are expected to face acute food shortages.

The WFP, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that the latest contribution consists of $4.5m for life-saving food assistance for people in severe food shortage, while $2m would be used to restore livelihoods and enhance resilience.

“The WFP will use this contribution to support 115,000 people in Jonglei, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Lakes States, where food insecurity has reached catastrophic levels due to continuing violence, two years of excessive flooding, displacement and loss of livelihood, livestock, infrastructure and homes that have left millions of people highly vulnerable and unable to provide for themselves,” it stated.

Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of South Sudan, Tsutsumi Naohiro, said, “It is our sincere wish that Japan’s grant helps save the people from food insecurity accelerated by natural disaster, communal violence and displacement and bring those suffering people back to a normal living environment which is the precondition to pave the way to nation building and economic development in South Sudan.”

The contribution, WFP said, would also support its livelihoods and resilience-building programmes, which include creation of community assets such as access roads and multi-purpose water points.

“We are grateful to Japan for this timely contribution at a time when food needs are the greatest, but funding for humanitarian assistance is dwindling because of the economic impact of COVID-19,” WFP’s Country Director in South Sudan, Matthew Hollingworth, said.

“This noble gesture demonstrates the Government of Japan’s commitment towards alleviating suffering and contributing to peace in South Sudan.

“It is a great boost to our efforts in saving and changing lives,” he added.