By Adia Jildo
The government of South Sudan has contributed USD 15 million to the World Food Program (WFP) to help respond to humanitarian needs across the country.
Finance Minister, Dier Tong Ngor signed a working agreement with WFP Country Director Mary Ellen McGroarty in Juba on Wednesday to kick start the disbursement of the fund.
Speaking after signing the agreement, Tong said the $15 million contribution was a commitment by the government to fulfil the $10 M pledge made during UN General Assembly last year by Vice President Hussein Abdelbaggi.
“We agreed that $15 million will be implemented through the World Food Program. So out of $114 million that we received from the IMF under the Food Shock Window Facility,” he said.
WFP will use part of the money to support South Sudanese returnees and Sudanese Refugees fleeing war in Sudan, according to the Finance Minister.
“The situation that is happening at the border cannot wait. After the signing of this agreement we will immediately disburse that amount,” Tong stated.
For her part, the WFP Country Director Mary Ellen McGroarty said the contribution by South Sudan government will target over 265,000 food insecure people in South Sudan.
“This contribution from the government of South Sudan to WFP will help us to provide lifesaving food assistance, nutrition assistance to over 265,000 people. We will be able to do that by giving food packages or to stimulate the local economy where markets are working to be able to get cash assistance,” Ellen said.
According to WFP Country Director, to date over 45,000 people fleeing conflict in Sudan have crossed the borders, most of whom are South Sudanese returnees.
“Over the couple of weeks, we are dealing with the fallout from the crisis in Sudan. To date, over 45,000 people have crossed the border of which many are South Sudanese,” she said.
“We also see because of the impact of the crisis, food prices at the border is also going up which gives a lot of calls considering the population already at risk.”
WFP says it is currently providing return package to those going back to their communities.
