The Japanese government has announced a contribution of more than $3 million for relief operations in South Sudan.

Japanese ambassador South Sudan says the money will be used by the World Food Program to provide nutrition treatment for mothers and children and for critical aviation service for humanitarian workers.

Kiya Masahiko said his people are alarmed by the food scarcity and malnutrition rates in South Sudan.

In a statement, Ambassador Kiya said some $2.4 million will be used for nutrition support to assist more than almost 30,000 children and some 6,500 pregnant women and nursing mothers.

The remaining $800,000 will be used to provide air transport and cargo services for humanitarian workers.

The WFP in South Sudan has welcomed the contribution but says it requires an additional $220 million for food and nutrition operations and $16 million for humanitarian flights over the next six months.