USAID gives WFP $9 million for Sudan’s displaced

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has contributed $9 million (SDG 51 million) to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan. The WFP will use the contribution to buy cereals from markets in Gedaref and other areas. The cereals will be distributed to more than 240,000 displaced people in Darfur and another 12,000 in South Kordofan state.“The nature of the long-lasting conflict in Darfur has changed,” the humanitarian organisation states. Intense inter-tribal clashes have caused the displacement of “more than 300,000 people in Darfur. Sudan remains our largest project, as we plan to reach 3.9 million Sudanese people, of whom 2.9 million live in Darfur. The USAID contribution will help WFP to response to the needs of these newly displaced people.” WFP Country Director Adnan Khan stressed that they continue looking for innovative ways to meet the region’s people food needs, such as the voucher programme. This supports around 150,000 displaced people in Darfur and in North Kordofan. The vouchers allow families to redeem more than ten food items at participating local stores.WFP 50 years in Sudan In 2013, the USA has contributed a total of $168 million (SDG 952 million), making it the single largest donor to the WFP Sudan.The WFP’s work in Sudan began in 1963 when the organisation provided food assistance to 50,000 Nubians re-settled from the rising waters of Lake Nasser caused by the construction of the Aswan Dam in neighbouring Egypt.  File photo: A woman exchanges her WFP vouchers for food in El Salam camp for internally displaced persons, North Darfur (by Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related: Germany helps WFP strengthen food security in Sudan through vouchers (29 October 2013)