Norway commits $12.6 mln to strengthen food security and protection services in South Sudan

The Norwegian Embassy in South Sudan has announced an additional contribution of NOK 140 million (approximately USD 12.6 million) to address urgent food security and protection needs in South Sudan.
Photo Caption: A vegetable farmer in Yambio County, Western Equatoria State. Norwegian support has helped farmers to improve their livelihoods. Photo: FAO South Sudan.

B Benjamin Takpiny

The Norwegian Embassy in South Sudan has announced an additional contribution of NOK 140 million (approximately USD 12.6 million) to address urgent food security and protection needs in South Sudan.

It said in a statement on Monday that the funding will be channeled through humanitarian and development partners to support vulnerable communities, including refugees and returnees affected by Sudan’s civil war and widespread flooding that has devastated livelihoods and undermined resilience across the country, adding that the initiative seeks to alleviate acute food shortages worsened by conflict, climate change, and economic instability.

The embassy allocated 85 million Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD 7.6 million) to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to bolster food security initiatives.

Other partners, including the Stromme Foundation and Mercy Corps, will receive the remaining funds.

 It added that the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is allocated Norwegian Kroner 40 million (approximately USD 3.6 million) to deliver protection services for South Sudanese children and youth, with a focus on girls and those in conflict-affected areas.

“Food insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges in South Sudan, with millions facing hunger daily,” said Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan, Roar Haugsdal.

“It is vital that the people, government, and international donors work together to create long-term solutions to reduce hunger and food insecurity,” he added.

 Haugsdal also called on South Sudanese leaders to demonstrate political will by implementing the extended Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and making meaningful compromises during the Tumaini peace talks.

The United Nations estimates that approximately 9 million people in South Sudan require urgent humanitarian assistance in 2024, with food insecurity reaching critical levels in many areas.

The Norwegian embassy said that South Sudan can pave the way for a self-reliant country by addressing the root causes of hunger and promoting local agricultural production.

Norway’s commitment remains steadfast, with the country contributing over USD 100 million in development and humanitarian aid to South Sudan in the past year.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *