EU Funding to boost WFP Feeder Roads Projects in South Sudan

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Juba – A UN World Food Programme (WFP) operation for the construction of 500km of feeder roads to improve farmers’ access to markets in South Sudan has received a boost from the European Union (EU).   The European Commission has committed to a US${esc.dollar} 24,877,451 contribution to rehabilitate 150 kilometres of rural feeder roads in the states of Warrap, Lakes and Western Bahr el Ghazal as part of this operation. "These roads will be crucial in stimulating agriculture and improving food security in the country," says Stephen Kearney, WFP's deputy Country Director for South Sudan. "They not only increase access to markets and agricultural in-puts for farmers in food producing areas; they also help WFP expand its programmes." Experts say while trunk roads are the main arteries connecting key locations, feeder roads are critical gateways linking remote rural areas to the main roads. The three-year project for the construction of feeder roads, which started in March last year, builds on WFP's initial success of constructing 2,600 kilometres of trunk roads across South Sudan between 2004 and 2011. South Sudan has a limited road network of just over 4,000 kilometres for a country the size of France. The government views the construction and maintenance of feeder roads as a significant element in long-term food security, development of agriculture and improved access to basic education and health services.