South Korea has significantly increased its humanitarian aid to Kenya, donating 21,000 tons of rice worth $14.2 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This generous contribution will be used to provide food assistance to over 565,000 refugees and schoolchildren in Dadaab and Kakuma camps.
The WFP expressed gratitude for South Korea’s unwavering support, highlighting the critical need for resources to address the growing food insecurity crisis in the region. Lauren Landis, the WFP’s Kenya country director, emphasized that the donation arrives at a crucial time when resources are scarce and needs are escalating.
The influx of refugees and asylum seekers into Kenya, which has risen by 60% in the past five years, has exacerbated the demand for food aid. Dadaab and Kakuma camps, home to hundreds of thousands of refugees, are particularly vulnerable to food shortages.
South Korea’s deputy ambassador to Kenya, Nam Sangkyo o, reiterated the country’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and asylum seekers.
This generous donation from South Korea will make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of people, providing them with much-needed sustenance during these challenging times.