The ongoing war in Sudan has displaced millions, with thousands of refugees and returnees seeking shelter in South Sudan
By Binia Elizabeth
The United Arab Emirates on Thursday donated 1000 bags of food items to thousands of refugees living in Gorom, Central Equatoria State.
The ongoing war in Sudan has displaced millions, with thousands of refugees and returnees seeking shelter in South Sudan, a situation that has increased the need for humanitarian aid.
The increasing number of displaced persons has strained resources despite humanitarian efforts.
In response, the United Arab Emirates on Thursday joined the relief efforts by delivering food aid to these refugees to ease their suffering.
Speaking at the launching of the initiative, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Albina Akol Atak disclosed that South Sudan is hosting refugees in eight camps across the country.
He thanked the United Arab Emirates for its continued support in addressing the country’s humanitarian needs.
He further said that through the adoption of the open door policy, they have been able to provide lifesaving services and provision to the refugees with the help of the donor community.
UAE Foreign Affairs Minister, Sheikh Shabout, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts, including the recent donation of a hospital in Madhol Payam located within Aweil East County in Northern Bhar el Ghazal State.
He said their presence in the country showed that the international community has not forgotten the needs of those who have faced hardship.
He added that in this spirit, they remain committed under the leadership of the President of UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to working closely with those countries to support the humanitarian efforts.
Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Monday Semaya Kumba commended the United Arab Emirates for its ongoing humanitarian efforts.
He mentioned that they were there to launch the solidarity efforts of providing humanitarian assistance to the refugees in Gorom.
“This is a commitment from the government to the people to support the displaced and the refugees.”
On his side, the Deputy Minister of Interior, Gen. Mangar Buang said the ministry will issue travel documents to facilitate movement of refugees.
He disclosed that the government of South Sudan was working on a project that would provide refugees with ID cards and machine-readable travel documents to enable them access services in their country.
Speaking at the same event, the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Birtukan Ayano called for sustained humanitarian aid for refugees in other camps.
She said that as they visited the refugees in Gorom, they also needed to think about many refugees in the region who are living in a similar situation.
The Sudanese refugees expressed gratitude for the food aid, acknowledging the challenges of overcrowding and limited resources amidst South Sudan’s economic difficulties.
“This is a commitment from the government to the people to support the displaced and the refugees,” South Sudan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Monday Semaya Kumba.