The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today donated dates worth US$160,000 to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to support school feeding activities in South Sudan.
WFP in a press release said the donation will support about 15,000 school going children in more than 25 schools in the greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan.
Matthew Hollingworth WFP’s Country Director in South Sudan said the dates will complement school meals.
“The dates are not only a healthy snack but will give the much-needed dietary support to school children receiving school meals. Providing meals in schools is the best opportunity children can access to education, health and nutrition at the same time,” he said.
WFP provides school meals to about 500,000 school children in 1,045 schools across the country and provides take home food packages to encourage parents to send and keep children in schools, the statement said.
The greater Upper Nile region is among the most food insecure areas, and in need of urgent humanitarian support to save people’s lives, especially in the wake of recent flooding in parts of the region.