The rice donated by South Korea to support refugees in Dadaab and Kakuma at the World Food Pogramme warehouse in MombasaThe Korea Republic has donated more than 10,000 tonnes of rice worth USD 9.53 million (Sh1.23 billion) to support refugees living in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps.
The donation was handed over on Tuesday at the World
Food Programme warehouse in Mombasa during a ceremony attended by
officials from the Kenyan government, South Korea and the WFP.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang described the donation as a timely demonstration of international
solidarity as humanitarian agencies grapple with shrinking funding.
"Today's handover is much more than a food
donation. It is a powerful demonstration of international solidarity and shared
responsibility towards some of the world's most vulnerable populations,"
he said.
Kipsang said the rice will provide critical food
assistance to nearly 500,000 refugees at a time when aid agencies are
struggling to meet growing needs with fewer resources.
Since 2018, South Korea has donated more
than 132,000 metric tonnes of rice to refugees in Kenya through the WFP, adding
that the continued support was commendable despite mounting global humanitarian
pressures.
The PS warned that reduced donor funding had forced agencies
to cut food rations, leaving many refugee families struggling to survive.
"Behind every statistic are families whose
resilience is being tested each day, mothers foregoing meals so that their
children can eat, vulnerable people skipping meals and young people facing
uncertain futures," he said.
Kipsang said Kenya remains committed to protecting
refugees while implementing the Shirika Plan, which seeks to transition
refugees from long-term humanitarian dependence to self-reliance through
improved access to education, livelihoods and public services.
"Hunger cannot be put on hold while we await the
realisation of the Shirika Plan's objectives," he said, stressing that
food security remains essential for the plan's success.
South Korean ambassador Kang Hyung-shik said the
donation reflected his country's commitment to supporting refugees despite
global economic and geopolitical challenges affecting humanitarian funding.
"As the large-scale refugee crisis is a global
issue beyond the capacity of a single nation, international solidarity and
cooperation are essential," he said.
World Food Programme country director for Kenya Betty Ka said South Korea has
been one of the agency's most reliable humanitarian partners, contributing more
than 118,000 metric tonnes of rice since 2018.
She said the latest consignment will sustain nearly half a million refugees in Dadaab and Kakuma over the coming months while strengthening WFP's preparedness ahead of the anticipated El Nino season.
