Turkish charity donates food packages to 400 families during Ramadan

By Simon Deng

The Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on Thursday donated food packages to 400 Muslim families in Juba during the ongoing Ramadan period.

Erdem Mutaf, the Turkish Ambassador to South Sudan said the donations of food packages that include maize flour, tea leaves, sugar, cooking oil, rice, soap and lentils were provided to vulnerable Muslims.

 “Since the start of Ramadan, Turkish aid agencies and Turkish charities are active in South Sudan in reaching out to needy South Sudanese for food distribution, Turkiye always stands with South Sudanese, the assistance and humanitarian aid is not limited to the holy month of Ramadan,” said Mutaf during the donation ceremony held at the Islamic University.

He also noted that they will extend similar support to vulnerable Muslims in other regions of the country such as refugees in Gorom refugee camp, and vulnerable groups in Bahr El Ghazel and Upper Nile State as well as returnees.

Gisma Sebit Soro, a resident of Rock City suburb who is among the beneficiaries said the food will help many poor families observing the fasting period to have meals during the ongoing economic hardship.

 “People are suffering, food here is not available, and sometimes food is not affordable because there is no money, we are celebrating Ramadan and the pockets are empty, we thank them (TIKA) for the support,” said Soro.

Khamis Jaden, another beneficiary thanked both the Turkish government and TIKA for providing food at a very difficult moment for them.

 “I have now received food from Turkiye for Ramadan, I thank the Ambassador and TIKA for reaching out to us, we find it difficult getting food, food is not available but we thank Turkiye for the support,” said Jaden.

Abdala Baraj, the Secretary General of South Sudan Islamic Council said that the food assistance provided by the Turkish charity demonstrates solidarity with the people of South Sudan.

“We thank the Turkish government and its charity organizations for their support in South Sudan, Turkiye is not near South Sudan but they have been doing many things for South Sudan and it is a sign that we have joint history,” said Baraj.

“Turkiye is standing with South Sudan under difficult conditions, there is no any other organization supporting but Turkiye is cooperating with South Sudan, they are supporting our citizens under very difficult circumstances,” he added.

In March 2024, the Turkish Diyanet Foundation distributed food packages to 10,000 families in five different areas of Juba.