CAIRO – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Egypt, working closely with the Egyptian Government, has opened a humanitarian corridor between Aswan in Upper Egypt, and Wadi Halfa in Sudan, to address the urgent needs of people affected by the ongoing conflict.

The first cross-border movement took place on 16 June carrying 50 metric tons of essential food assistance from Egypt to Sudan. The assistance will help to alleviate the suffering of thousands of people who have become highly vulnerable due to the conflict.

The establishment of the humanitarian corridor is led by WFP, in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The corridor acts as a passageway for WFP, UN agencies, development organizations, and humanitarian partners.

“While WFP continues to provide support to those arriving in Egypt through food and cash assistance, we are also committed to assisting people inside Sudan. This humanitarian corridor is the result of the great partnerships that the Egyptian Government has with development partners. We are now able to take our aid where it is most needed,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Egypt Praveen Agrawal.

To date, WFP has dispatched over 80 metric tons of fortified emergency food assistance to the Egyptian borders, including enhanced nutritional ready-to-eat items, in collaboration with the Government of Egypt and the Egyptian Red Crescent.

In addition, WFP has launched an emergency cash assistance programme through its pre-established cash delivery platform, reaching over 130,000 Sudanese people since the start of the crisis. This platform has, as well as the Humanitarian Corridor, been made available to sister UN agencies, enabling a swift response to numerous humanitarian needs arising from the crisis.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that approximately 800,000 people may flee Sudan to neighbouring countries as a result of the ongoing crisis. WFP remains committed to providing assistance to meet the needs of the most vulnerable individuals seeking refuge.

Source: EMM/ WFP