One of the three all-terrain vehicles at the World Food Programme workshop in Juba, South Sudan.

Juba, South Sudan - The Food and Agriculture Organization received three Sherp all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) from the World Food Programe Workshop in Juba. The vehicles will serve to reach the populations living in most remote and hard-to-reach areas of South Sudan that are not accessible by road.

In 2020, despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions, FAO is committed to reaching 4.8 million vulnerable people in South Sudan with livelihood support including crop and vegetable seeds, fishing gear and essential agricultural tools. FAO is working in a race against time to distribute almost 10 million Kg of seeds to vulnerable farmers who otherwise wouldn’t be able to plant.

“Access is a key aspect of food security and FAO will put innovation at work to secure food security in South Sudan. The three all-terrain vehicles are critical to allow us deliver seeds and essential tools to vulnerable populations living in hard to reach areas,” said Meshack Malo, FAO Representative in South Sudan. “As United Nations and as Rome-based agencies- WFP and FAO-, we are joining our forces to be able to reduce food insecurity in this country,” he added.

People living in remote areas where transportation of items is the main challenge are at extreme risk of food insecurity. High costs of air transportation and the temporary closure of airspace due to coronavirus restrictions are leaving these populations in complete isolation as they are not accessible by normal trucks or vehicles. This has compelled FAO to find alternative ways to continue its operations and successfully distribute live-saving items. Hard-to-reach areas including Upper Nile, Old and New Fangak and Ganyel will now be reached also using the three ATVs in addition to a fleet of eight riverboats.

“We use the ATVs to reach to the most remote places of this country and today is a special day because WFP and FAO are in solidarity in trying to respond to the crises that South Sudan is facing,” said Matthew Hollingworth, WFP County Director. “This is a great example of our Agencies coming together to bring our competency, our knowledge and our capacity to make sure we deliver the items that allow people to be productive and grow their own food.”