WFP Convoy Leaves Akobo After Month Long Food Distribution

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(AKOBO COUNTY) – A World Food Programme convoy has left Akobo County after spending one month delivering food assistance to the community in Jonglei State.

Convoy Leader Ladu Charles said the mission was successful and thanked the people of Akobo for their warm welcome and cooperation. He noted that this was the first WFP road convoy to deliver food aid to Akobo this year.

Charles called for lasting peace to enable humanitarian organisations to reach more communities in need. He added that while some of the 23 trucks are returning, others will remain in Akobo to support ongoing relief operations.

He said poor road conditions due to heavy rains and insecurity remain the main challenges on the return journey. He prayed for a safe trip and encouraged South Sudanese to remain united and support humanitarian efforts.

The convoy’s departure follows a major humanitarian operation that began in early May.

A convoy of WFP trucks carrying emergency food supplies first arrived in Akobo West on 9 May to support displaced communities and vulnerable families affected by the humanitarian situation.

The assistance was intended to help families facing severe hardship due to displacement and ongoing challenges in the area.

The government, together with WFP, also made efforts to ensure that food assistance reached displaced people in Akobo East through emergency air drops due to limited ground access caused by insecurity and poor road conditions.

Akobo County Commissioner Hon. James Kueth Makuach encouraged communities to cooperate with humanitarian agencies during the distribution process and maintain peace and order to allow safe and fair delivery of assistance to those most in need.

In late May, a humanitarian convoy including WFP assistance successfully arrived in Akobo Town. The WFP County Director also visited affected areas to assess the situation and engage with residents.

That convoy followed a major escort operation in which UNMISS peacekeepers from India safely accompanied a 30-truck WFP convoy from Pibor to Akobo, a journey that took 60 hours through mud and flooded roads.

The convoy delivered 210 metric tonnes of food and other supplies to people in need.