The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a contribution of NOK 128.6M (US$ 12.5 million) from the government of Norway.
This timely contribution will enable WFP to provide life-saving food and nutritional assistance to vulnerable populations across South Sudan, while also strengthening community resilience and supporting critical common services that underpin humanitarian operations in the country.
The generous contribution comes at a desperate time marked by increased food insecurity and malnutrition among children. According to the recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report some 7.56 million people – more than half the country’s population - are projected to face acute levels of food insecurity at the height of the lean season between April and July 2026-a period between planting and harvesting when food availability is at its lowest and hunger peaks.
Malnutrition among children in South Sudan has also increased affecting 2.1 million children as well as over one million pregnant and breastfeeding women according to the report.
“Norway is proud to remain a long-standing partner of the World Food Programme and to support its life‑saving and resilience‑building efforts in South Sudan,” said Roar Haugsdal, Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan. “Through this partnership, we aim not only to strengthen sustainable livelihoods, but also to help foster stability and lasting peace for the people of South Sudan.”
To boost food production, strengthen community resilience to climatic, economic and conflict-related shocks, and promote inclusive economic growth at community level, part of the contribution will be channelled to support smallholder farmers and the Home-Grown School Feeding initiative. The funding will also help sustain essential common services that enable effective programme delivery and humanitarian access across South Sudan.
“Food security is the foundation of lasting peace and a spark for economic recovery,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. “This contribution demonstrates Norway’s commitment to helping the people of South Sudan overcome challenges of hunger and malnutrition.”
Norway has been a long-standing partner of WFP and the people of South Sudan contributing significant amounts of funds towards activities aimed at fighting food insecurity, building resilience and creating pathway to peace and stability.
This latest contribution brings Norway’s total support to WFP’s work in South Sudan since 2020 to over US$29 million.