Faster, better support for South Sudanese refugees fleeing to Sudan

How the EU is helping displaced families with WFP

Since conflict in the world’s youngest country, South Sudan, erupted in 2013, hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese have fled into nearby Sudan. Most of them are women and children in critical need of humanitarian assistance.

South Sudanese refugees receive food assistance containing sorghum, lentils, oil and salt at a food distribution centre in White Nile State, Sudan. Photo: WFP/Gabreila Vivacqua.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) maximized the efficiency and effectiveness of its humanitarian response in 2017 to support refugee families crossing the border.

Thanks to support from donors including the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), WFP was able to immediately register over 10,000 newly arrived South Sudanese refugees for food assistance and provide help within 72 hours of arrival.

South Sudanese refugees in White Nile State camps in the outskirts of Kosti waiting for verification which will allow them to receive WFP food entitlements. Photo: WFP/Gabriela Vivacqua

For newly arrived pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as children under five years of age, a system was established to provide regular emergency nutritional support and referrals to nutrition centres. The system will continue to help the ever-increasing number of refugees entering Sudan every day.

This year alone, WFP assisted over 130,000 South Sudanese refugees with life-saving emergency food assistance and nutrition interventions across Sudan.

South Sudanese refugees receive food rations containing sorghum, lentils, oil and salt at a food distribution centre in White Nile State, Sudan. Photo: WFP/Gabreila Vivacqua

Read more about WFP’s work in Sudan.