Thousands of children in South Sudan are likely to drop out of school this year because of the suspension of the UN’s food aid, students and teachers have warned.
On Tuesday, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said it was cutting food rations to almost 6.2 million people in the country – including 178,000 children fed in schools – because of a shortage of funding.
“Without that food children cannot come to school,” 16-year-old student Anita Anna Samson told the BBC.
She attends Mayo Girls Primary School in the capital, Juba – one of the beneficiaries of WFP’s feeding programme.
“I am appealing to WFP to continue providing the food. Personally I will be affected because my family cannot afford to provide enough food for me. If there is no food, I will not come to school,” she said.
Another student, 17-year-old Ijora Jovian, echoed the importance of the programme.
“The school provides for us beans with sorghum and this improves learning because children who don’t have money for breakfast rely on this food and during break time they stay in the school.”
The school’s deputy head teacher, Thomas Hakim Sebit, agreed the announcement by WFP was “sad news” as it would affect many of the more than 700 children at his school.
“If the food is cut off, the children will no longer come to school. I am appealing to WFP and the international community to continue supporting the school-feeding programme,” he said.
The news has already affected enrolment for the new term, which started on Wednesday, as only 350 girls turned up.
Latest Stories
-
Health Minister submits over 10 evidence against Ato Forson in Ambulance case
10 mins -
A/R: Criminal activities at Meduma on the rise
39 mins -
28 years of teaching but living on loans – Life of a teacher
50 mins -
African fund promises $3bn for vaccine self-sufficiency
52 mins -
Vic Mensa gets 12 months probation after pleading guilty in ‘shrooms’ case
52 mins -
Ghana identified as transit country for drug trafficking – British High Commission
1 hour -
NPP Elections: Battle lines drawn; aspirants placed on ballot
1 hour -
CEO of MTN Ghana attributes high cost of data to consumption of foreign content, infrastructural deficits
2 hours -
It is a den of Satan – Rex Omar describes the National Cathedral
2 hours -
Man jailed for life over murder of brother with albinism
2 hours -
Social media users jubilate over E-levy flop
2 hours -
Let’s learn to celebrate our successes – Prince David Osei defends Jackie Appiah
2 hours -
Be strong in your spiritual life – Yaw Tog tells new acts
2 hours -
GFA, AshGold expected to issue statements on Albert Commey match-fixing allegations today
2 hours -
Treat demonstrators with respect, dignity – IGP to officers deployed to Arise Ghana demo
2 hours