Photo: WFP
Juba, January 25, 2023 (SSNA) — The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a school feeding program in South Sudan, saying the program is needed as the young nation continues to struggle after years of war.
WFP country’s director in South Sudan, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, states that South Sudanese communities hard-hit by “climate shocks” will benefit from the program.
“When conflict or climate shocks strike a community, impacting livelihoods and food availability, schooling is often one of the first things to be deprioritized by families,” she says.
South Sudan Minister of General Education says the WFP ‘s school feeding will be a fundamental aspect of education in the country. The Ministry also added that data gathered from its 2021 annual education census shows that schools with a feeding program are better attended than schools that don’t offer free meals.
The WFP believes the feeding program will support at least 23,000 children.