From pasture lands in the USA to hungry mouths in Sudan: WFP’s partnership with USA
Through United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Government continues to be the World Food Programme’s (WFP) largest partner in Sudan. USAID funding is critical in allowing WFP to support food-insecure and vulnerable people through distribution of emergency food aid to help critically malnourished children regain their health.
US Ships, Maritime Faith and Liberty Grace, docked in Port Sudan earlier this year to discharge over 47,880 metric tons of sorghum, over 20,000 metric tons of which will be transported through Sudan into South Sudan, while the remaining will be used for WFP Sudan’s food assistance programmes. WFP further received additional shipments from USAID carrying 47,500 metric tons of sorghum, more than 5,000 metric tons of lentils and nearly 1,700 metric tons of vegetable oil. These donations from the United States will feed South Sudanese refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Sudan.
Upon reaching the port, the sorghum is bagged and loaded on the back of trucks to be sent out to WFP warehouses, where food is then dispatched to distribution sites across different states in Sudan. The sorghum travels a long way from the US until it reaches those most in need. It is used for various WFP food assistance activities, one of which is the School Feeding programme which provide meals to school children, many of whom would otherwise receive nothing at all to eat at home, like Tanzeel Ahmed Adam.
Tanzeel is a 13 year old sixth grader, in AlSalam School for Girls, Abushook Camp for displaced people in North Darfur. At school, Tanzeel receives school meals provided by WFP consisting of sorghum, milk and lentils. She lives with her mom — Rugaia, and her elder sister — Wigdan. Her father left them years ago, in search of work, but they have not heard from him since. Tanzeel had one more sister, and one more brother, but sadly, both passed away after long fights with terminal illness.
“I want to become an architectural engineer.”
Tanzeel wanted to talk to us about her dreams and future, focusing on how things are slowly yet steadily changing for the better.
“I want to become an architectural engineer,” says Tanzeel.
Arabic, and especially mathematics being Tanzeel’s favorite subjects, it was no surprise that she wants to become an Architectural Engineer when she grows older. She is also a sports enthusiast — with volleyball being her favourite. The school gathered around to cheer her during a match where we watched Tanzil, energized from her School Meal, jump and reach out full of strength hitting the ball to score for her team.
In addition to School Meals, Tanzeel’s family receives support from WFP’s general food assistance programme — to which Sorghum is a crucial element, and her mother Rugaia, partakes in WFP’s Food For Assets activities. Her elder sister also works in her spare time after school to generate an income for their family. Together Tanzeel, Rugaia and Wigdan work to feed and strengthen themselves, hopeful for a better life that they see is approaching in the future.
“Things were worse, now they are better, but soon they will be even better,” adds Tanzeel.
Long-standing partners like USAID are the reason behind WFP’s success in reaching the families of those most-in-need like Tanzeel, Rugaia, and Wigdan.
