China donates emergency food to support vulnerable people in South Sudan

The Chinese government on Monday donated nearly 1,000 tons of emergency food assistance to support displaced persons due to floods, and Sudanese refugees and returnees who recently fled ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Ma Qiang, Chinese Ambassador in South Sudan (C) and Albino Akol Atak, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (R) inspect the wheat donated by the Chinese government as part of the emergency food to the South Sudanese people on Monday, December 16, 2024 in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

By Denis Ejulu

The Chinese government on Monday donated nearly 1,000 tons of emergency food assistance to support displaced persons due to floods, and Sudanese refugees and returnees who recently fled ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Albino Akol Atak, said during the donation ceremony in Juba, that the food assistance in the form of rice and wheat will be distributed in the 10 States, three administrative areas and some will go to orphanages in the capital.

“Today, we are receiving this consignment as another support to our vulnerable people, and this time we are targeting 1.4 million people affected by floods across South Sudan. This also will support those who are arriving from Sudan; we have now reached almost a million people,” Akol said.

Akol disclosed that 60 percent of the consignment comprising of 500 tons of wheat and 480 tons of rice will go to the States, 25 percent to the returnees in Central Equatoria State and 15 percent to the orphanages and other vulnerable groups in Juba.

“Earlier, this year we received a consignment of tents from China that supported our people that are vulnerable especially those who have been displaced internally, and those who have been returning due to the conflict that erupted in Sudan since 2023. The tents were also distributed to people displaced by floods,” he said.

Deputy Chairperson of the Relief Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), Santino Bol Muoter, said the food assistance has come at a critical moment when the country is grappling with the worst humanitarian crisis due to a combination of climatic shocks, conflicts and flooding.

“We acknowledge that this support always comes at the right time to help our people. South Sudan has been hit hard and our level of food insecurity stands at 57 percent of the population, and we have also received an influx of over 800,000 people  forced out of Sudan both refugees and South Sudanese who were hosted in Sudan and are now being hosted in various states. These people need our support and this food assistance has come at a critical time,” Mouter said.

Muoter revealed that this is the eighth consecutive year that China has supported vulnerable people in South Sudan.

Chinese Ambassador in South Sudan, Ma Qiang, noted that South Sudan’s economic development and improvement of people’s livelihoods are facing serious challenges due to the impact of floods, disruptions of oil production, and severe food insecurity.

Ma said that part of the rice and wheat donated by the Chinese government will be distributed to these affected households and returnees from neighboring countries to meet their urgent needs, which will help alleviate the current food shortage and rising food prices in South Sudan.

“The South Sudanese people who are fighting against the disaster and food insecurity tenaciously will not be alone. Today, China officially hands over nearly 1,000 tons of humanitarian emergency food aid to South Sudan, expecting to bring hope and safety to our friends,” he said.

Ma added that China has been actively supporting the peace process and socio-economic development of South Sudan by building facilities such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and airports, providing humanitarian assistance, compiling textbooks for primary and middle school students, providing teaching supplies, and supporting the youth and women’s capacity building.

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