The Japanese Embassy in South Sudan, through its Charge d’affaires Mitsuhiro Toyama, has urged the South Sudan government to protect aid workers against targeted attacks.
Toyama said the attack on aid workers in the country is unacceptable adding that the issue needs to be addressed so as to enable humanitarians to carry their work freely.
“I would like to point out the counter issue on the safety of humanitarian workers in South Sudan, violence against humanitarians is unacceptable and Japan strongly believe that the issue should be addressed,” Mr. Toyama said.
Japan’s Embassy Charge d’affires added that providing a conducive environment to the aid workers in the country would enable aid workers to deliver needed assistance to the needy.
Mr. Toyama made the statement during the signing ceremony of USD 3.2 million Japan’s contributions to WFP toward fighting hunger in the country in Juba.
“We hope that all the aid workers including the WFP staff are protected appropriately for them to deliver humanitarian assistance to the needy safely and smoothly,” he added.
He said in order for food assistance to reach food-insecure families in the country, humanitarian workers need safety and security.
He said one of Japan’s targets is a practical contribution to global peace that was why Japan is getting involved in peacebuilding process in the country.
According to him, such efforts would connect the global peace which happens to be Japan’s own security.
“Japan believes in human security, and believes that human security should be secure to the South Sudanese who have a long history of conflict, so they deserve to enjoy peace,” he said.
He added that it was not the first time for Japan to donate such similar assistance to food-insecure families in the country.
“Since 2011, Japan has contributed US$ 61 million towards WFP’s ongoing food and nutrition assistance for food-insecure families in South Sudan.”
He said WFP requires US$ 265 million for the next six months adding that without immediate and sustained action, they will starve in the country.
He reiterated his government commitment to continue supporting the South Sudanese people when the need arises.
WFP plans
In the same event, Adeyinka Badejo, WFP Deputy Country Director-Operations welcomed the USD 3.2 million Japanese contributions toward fighting hunger in the country.
However, she said for them to help the needy people, the workers need to be safe for them to save many lives in the country.
Though she said that the new contribution from Japan would help WFP to fight hunger in the country’s highly food in food-insecure areas.
“WFP welcomes US$ 3.2 million contributions from the Government of Japan to support highly food-insecure families in South Sudan with life-saving food assistance,” Mrs. Badejo said.
The WFP Deputy Country Director Badejo, the money will be used to purchase 1,700 metric tons of rice from Japan to feed more than 40,000 people for four months.
“WFP will use the funds to purchase approximately 1,700 metric tons of rice from Japan enough to feed more than 40,000 people for four months. Other staple food items in a WFP food ration include pulses, vegetable oil, and salt,” She added.
She said the timely contribution will allow WFP to continue providing life-saving food and nutrition assistance to more than 40,000 food-insecure people in areas experiencing severe levels of hunger at the height of the lean season.
According to her, WFP aims to support over 5 million people in South Sudan with life-saving food assistance, as well as to contribute to peace and promote self-reliance through our resilience programs.
According to WFP data, more than 7.2 million people 60 percent of the population face hunger and acute food shortages.
This includes 108,000 people on the brink of famine and 1.4 million children suffering from acute malnutrition.
Ten years after their country declared independence, the people of South Sudan have experienced unspeakable hardship due to sub-national conflict, sporadic violence, record flooding, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing millions deeper into hunger and poverty.