The Canadian Foodgrains Bank visited South Sudan to assess the humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by USAID funding cuts. The ongoing war has caused widespread hunger and displacement. The Canadian government is investing $4 million in humanitarian aid, supporting food assistance projects in both Sudan and South Sudan to provide immediate relief and promote long-term food security.
Last week, members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank visited South Sudan to witness the critical humanitarian crisis escalating in the region. During their trip, Executive Director Andy Harrington and Senior Humanitarian Manager Stefan Epp-Koop observed the dire consequences of war, famine, and the impact of funding cuts on essential services.
The recent funding reductions by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including a 90-day suspension of its activities, have severely endangered lives, disrupting access to food, water, medical services, and shelter in humanitarian emergencies.
Before South Sudan’s independence in 2011, it was part of Sudan, which has been embroiled in civil conflict since April 2023. Epp-Koop noted that this brutal civil war has significantly affected civilians, with 26 million people in Sudan facing hunger and 11 million displaced, alongside a million refugees moving to South Sudan.
The humanitarian plight has become tragic, as many people are forced to flee to save their lives and ensure their children are not conscripted into the army. Epp-Koop described evacuees leaving everything behind—homes, livelihoods, and loved ones—in search of survival in South Sudan.
The consequences of the conflict are dire, especially for civilians, who are struggling with food shortages and malnutrition. Epp-Koop emphasized that the recent USAID budget cuts have devastated crucial healthcare services, leading to the closure of health and nutrition facilities. Additionally, many children in both Sudan and South Sudan cannot attend school due to financial constraints.
Notably, Epp-Koop remarked that USAID contributed a minimal part of the U.S. budget, less than 1%. He stressed that the decision to cut funding was made despite the significant impact on thousands of lives, equating the cost of such aid to a mere rounding error in the overall budget.
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank currently implements several projects aimed at providing essential food assistance to those suffering from severe hunger in Sudan and South Sudan. Marking a positive step, the Canadian Government announced a $4 million investment to support humanitarian initiatives in Sudan, funding three projects in urgently needed areas.
Epp-Koop highlighted the dual focus of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank: delivering immediate relief to those in need while also working towards sustainable solutions for long-term food security and self-reliance in the future.
For additional information, readers are encouraged to visit the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s website.
The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and Sudan necessitates urgent action as millions face hunger and displacement. Recent USAID funding cuts exacerbate the situation, resulting in critical service closures and increased suffering among civilians. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s initiatives, supported by the Canadian government, aim to alleviate immediate needs while fostering longer-term solutions for food security in the region. A sustained commitment to aid is essential to prevent further losses of life and livelihood.
Original Source: discoverwestman.com
