The World Food Programme (WFP) has received a €46 million boost to address humanitarian needs in Sudan, courtesy of a European Commission meeting held in Rome, Italy yesterday.

Allocation of the €46m is part of the Commission’s 2010 Global Plan for Sudan, estimated at €114 million. Thus the agreement, according to a communiqué, followed series of negotiations between the European Commission and WFP, to provide immediate assistance to the populations in Darfur and Southern Sudan.

"Humanitarian needs have increased dramatically in Sudan, so additional funding is vital. I am deeply concerned about the situation of civilians affected by the recent fighting in some areas of South Darfur, particularly Jebel Marra, and parts of West Darfur. Several thousands of people have been displaced and urgently need our assistance and, worryingly, humanitarian agencies have no access to them," Kristalina Georgieva, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response said.

According to WFP’s Executive Director, Josette Sheeran the European Commission’s contribution is timely, having come at the start of the hunger season in Sudan; when food stocks are low and WFP needs to build up supplies to meet the nutritional needs of millions of hungry Sudanese people.

"This generous donation advances WFP’s critical partnership with Europe in protecting Sudan’s most vulnerable people. Make no mistake this contribution will directly help save lives,” she said.