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As hunger and disease reach critical levels in South Sudan, the UK has announced its contribution of $27 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to feed over 100,000 people affected by the current humanitarian crisis.
LONDON - DFID were among a number of donors who pledged to support South Sudan during a conference hosted by Norway and the United Nations in response to the crisis. Lynne Featherstone, UK International Development Minister said: "We will not look the other way while innocent people go through unimaginable suffering…the extra support announced today will give hundreds of thousands of people the food, water and medicine they need to survive."
The support comes at a crucial time as WFP expands its assistance to reach 3.2 million people in the country, following analysis that food security in the country had dropped to alarming levels. While famine is not predicted in the next three months, there is a danger that if adequate human assistance is not provided soon, it will become a serious risk later on.
"A hunger catastrophe can still be avoided, but humanitarian agencies must be allowed to reach tens of thousands of people before it is too late," said Mike Sackett, WFP's Country Director.
Currently 3.7 million people - nearly a third of the population - are in need of humanitarian assistance. WFP and its partners are doing everything possible to reach people and have provided food assistance to more than 700,000 people across South Sudan.
WFP is using airlifts and airdrops in many hard to reach areas to overcome logistical and security challenges that make some areas hard to reach by ground.
As the conflict continues to displace people from their homes and prevents the planting and harvesting of crops, WFP welcomes the support provided by donors like the UK government. These resources will help to ensure WFP can continue to provide food assistance to at least 3.2 million people through to the end of the year.
