Republic of Korea donates 21,000 metric tons of rice to support refugees in Kenya
NAIROBI – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of 21,000 metric tons of rice from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea (valued at US$ 14.2 million) doubling the contribution from 2023.
This substantial donation will allow WFP to continue providing essential food assistance to over 565,000 refugees and school-going children in Dadaab and Kakuma camps.
“The Republic of Korea’s contribution arrives at a critical time when WFP’s resources are severely stretched and the needs rising fast,” said Lauren Landis, WFP’s Country Director in Kenya. “This generous donation will make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of people, providing them with much-needed sustenance during these challenging times.”
The number of registered refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya has risen to more than 760,000 – a 60 percent rise in the last five years. The rise in needs has outpaced resources forcing WFP to effect deep ration cuts in recent months.
“The Republic of Korea remains committed to supporting Kenya in its efforts to address food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations like refugees and asylum seekers,” stated H.E. Nam Sangkyoo, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kenya. “We recognize the challenges faced by WFP in providing adequate food assistance, and we hope this contribution will help alleviate some of the burden.”
The Republic of Korea has been a steadfast supporter of WFP's operations in Kenya, contributing a total of 64,500 metric tons of rice since 2018, valued at approximately US$ 53 million. This makes the Republic of Korea WFP’s Kenya second-largest donor.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of WFP’s initial assistance to the Republic of Korea and the 40th anniversary of the country’s graduation from WFP’s support. Between 1964 and 1984, WFP's food assistance played a crucial role in the development of the Republic of Korea, which was recovering from the devastating effects of the Korean war in 1950s and the big flood in 1963. Today, Republic of Korea is one of WFP’s top 10 donors, and Korean contributions are being delivered to the most vulnerable people all around the world.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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