Sudan: WFP complains of funding shortfall, threatens closure of vital air services

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The world Food Programme (WFP) will be forced to close down its air service in the Sudan by the end of the month, complaining of a shortfall in its funding, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a release, received by PANA in Khartoum on Thursday.

It said that the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has a “funding shortfall of US$9.9 million which if not addressed will force the WFP to close down the air service at the end of the month.”

Humanitarians continue to advocate for the vaccination of 165,000 children in SPLM-N controlled areas of South Kordufan state, Western Sudan near the borders with South Sudan, and the Blue Nile state, South Eastern state near the borders with Ethiopia.

The release said that in White Nile State, central Sudan where IDPs and refugees from South Sudan are received, gaps remain in water and sanitation services for refugees despite the ongoing provision of humanitarian assistance

It said seasonal rainfall remains 25-80% below average in most of the country despite improved rains in August.

“Due to difficulties in importing relief items into Sudan, WFP is facing a shortage of super cereals in East Darfur with additional stocks not expected before the end of October," the release added.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 10Sept2015