The vehicles are part of a Russian global contribution to WFP of 218 trucks, valued at US$21 million, accompanied by mobile workshops, spare parts, technicians and an additional US$1.6 million to cover operational costs related to the trucks.
The sturdy trucks will form part of a regional fleet based in Kampala and serving WFP operations in Uganda and nearby countries. Fifty-three of them will be dispatched to South Sudan immediately while the rest will be stationed in Uganda. Another 61 of the 218 trucks are expected to arrive later this year for use both in the region and elsewhere in Africa.
“WFP greatly appreciates the generosity of the Russian government for this contribution, which will enhance WFP’s fleet capacity in the region,” said acting WFP Country Director Michael Dunford, as he received the trucks at the agency’s Tororo regional warehouse today.
“As one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations, WFP needs to respond quickly to breaking emergencies to save lives and meet the needs of people affected by crisis,” Dunford said.
In Uganda this year, WFP plans to assist more than 1.5 million people at a cost of nearly US$130 million. WFP’s operations elsewhere in the region include South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and Ethiopia.
“The Russian Federation regards WFP as an efficient organization in addressing hunger and strengthening food security in the world. We welcome with satisfaction our cooperation, which is developing and has positive dynamics,” said Sergey Shishkin, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation.
“Our participation in WFP’s humanitarian operations is spreading geographically. Many African countries have received Russian aid through WFP. We hope the world’s best-in-class KAMAZ trucks will support WFP’s lofty aims in Uganda, South Sudan and elsewhere in Africa,” added Ambassador Shishkin.
WFP has established a regional trucking fleet based in Kampala due to Uganda’s close proximity to hotspots in eastern and central Africa.