Marel donating EUR 1 million to Red Cross to improve food security in South Sudan

Gardabaer, Iceland-headquartered processing equipment developer Marel is donating EUR 1 million (USD 1.9 million) to the Red Cross to aid in its effort to improve food security in South Sudan.

Millions face food insecurity in South Sudan, resulting in many facing increased risk of malnutrition, including children, according to the Red Cross.

“After years of conflict, the scars left by war and violence on South Sudan’s communities are deep. The needs remain staggering and half the population struggles to have enough food to eat. The support provided by Marel and the Icelandic Red Cross will help us strengthen our efforts to bolster the resilience of hundreds of thousands of families,” International Committee of the Red Cross Director-General Robert Mardini said.

The donation aligns with Marel’s vision for a world where quality food is sustainable and affordable, company CEO Arni Oddur Thordarson said.

“Unfortunately, not everyone has access to food or other basic needs, and we feel a broader responsibility towards improving global food security,” Thordarson said. “This partnership with the Red Cross is in line with our focused approach to charitable activities, as well as our focus on contributing towards the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. This partnership contributes towards two of these goals: To end hunger and to strengthen global partnership for sustainable development. We are grateful to be able to contribute to sustainable development and better living conditions. We know that every meal counts, every contribution counts.” 

Icelandic Red Cross Director Kristin S. Hjalmtysdottir said the donation will “enables us to help hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihood and food security have been severely affected in recent years, in addition to suffering other ill effects of the armed conflict.”

Marel’s contribution will help in the ICRC’s approach, which seeks to increase communities’ self sufficiency via the distribution of seeds, farming tools and fishing kits, and the vaccination of cattle.