The United Nations World Food Programme has welcomed the safe arrival of the first convoy of food assistance moved through Sudan to South Sudan.

Eighteen trucks transporting 700 metric tons of food, enough to feed about 45,000 people for one month, have arrived in Upper Nile state from Kosti.

WFP says the arrival of the aid marks the opening of a humanitarian corridor to enable the delivery of food assistance to South Sudan through the Republic of Sudan.

The Country Director of WFP, Joyce Luma says the reopening of the humanitarian corridor from Sudan will help reduce our heavy reliance on costly air operations.

She says the current cross-border operation will see WFP use trucks and river barges to deliver food to feed to conflict affected areas.