US aid agency to grant $20 million to WFP to fund Sudan wheat purchases

The US Agency for International Development said it will grant $20 million to the World Food Program to purchase wheat for Sudan to alleviate shortages in the east African country.

The US announced in October that it will rescind Sudan’s 27-year-old listing as a state sponsor of terrorism, a status that had restricted Khartoum’s economic links and cut it off from crucial financial assistance.

It also hampered dollar transactions for Sudanese businesses and complicated imports of some goods.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The funding from USAID will enable the WFP to provide approximately 65,600 metric tons of wheat for Sudan, the agency said in a press release on Friday.

“This grant represents the United States’ contribution to a $45 million commitment to provide the Government of Sudan with wheat needed to address the immediate shortage,” the agency said.

The United Arab Emirates would match the US grant, which is subject to congressional approval, while Israel will provide an additional $5 million, it added.

Under US pressure, Sudan has agreed to normalize ties with Israel, making Khartoum the third Arab government after the UAE and Bahrain to establish relations with Israel in the last two months.

Read more:

Sudan to designate Lebanon’s Hezbollah as terrorist organization under Israel deal

Everything you need to know: Sudan's removal from US state sponsor of terrorism list