China provides humanitarian aid to South Sudan

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a US $7 million contribution from the People's Republic of China to bolster its food and nutrition assistance in South Sudan where about 5 million people are unable to meet their food needs.

The contribution, according to WFP through the County Director Adnan Khan, will aid in purchasing of rice, pulses and other commodities that will be used to provide school meals and general food rations to more than 126,000 people in areas most affected by conflict and food insecurity.

“The Chinese contribution came at a critical time when WFP is appealing for more resources to respond to increasing needs,” said Adnan Khan, WFP Country Director. “In particular, the support to our school meals activity is an invaluable investment in the next generation and the country's overall development.”

Showing unwavering support to the South Sudan crisis, He Xiangdong, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, also noted that “China will stand with the people of South Sudan at this time of food crisis, This new contribution is part of our commitment to support the efforts by the Government of South Sudan and humanitarian agencies to provide adequate food to South Sudanese facing hunger.”

In 2018 WFP supported about 5 million crisis-affected and vulnerable people in South Sudan with 259,000 metric tons of food and $24.5 million USD in cash transfers. However, food assistance needs have continued to increase with 5.2 million expected to be severely food insecure between January and March 2019, according to recent food security assessments.

China's support to WFP operations has grown significantly in recent years. With Chinese contributions in 2015 and 2017, WFP in South Sudan was able to purchase about 4,600 metric tons of food that covered emergency food rations to about 290,000 people.