KHARTOUM, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday that Britain contributed 13.5 million pounds (about 17.8 million U.S. dollars) to support its resilience projects in Sudan.

"The UK is contributing an additional 13.5 million pounds to support WFP resilience projects as well as food and cash assistance in Sudan till March 2019," said the WFP in a statement.

"The UK's contribution will enable the WFP to continue its support to 93,000 smallholder farmers across Sudan, providing them with storage systems that reduce crop waste. Crop waste is a significant problem in Sudan," it added.

The WFP would also use the funds to create income opportunities for a further 24,000 families to boost their resilience during challenging agricultural seasons, according to the statement.

Britain's aid has been pivotal in helping the WFP to broaden its programmes and committed to long-term and predictable funding in November 2017.

Since then, the Department for International Development, a British government department responsible for administering overseas aid, has increased its funding for the WFP in Sudan from 35.7 million pounds to 49.2 million pounds.