By Adia Jildo
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has procured Sorghum worth 20 million United States dollars from Sudan to reach most affected flood victims in the Northern corridors of South Sudan.
Following the declaration of flood as a national disaster in South Sudan, the government approved a quick response fund of 20 million to support the flood victims with food.
Peter Mayen Majongdit, the minister of Humanitarian Affairs briefed media upon his return from Khartoum on Tuesday that the 20 million worth of food purchased is a quick response to rescue the livelihoods of the most affected floods victims as relocations to higher grounds are ongoing.
“We have purchased sorghum because it is now the immediate response, we are targeting the most affected, those people who are at the grass roots trying to build their livelihood,” he said.
Mayen had gone to Sudan where he reached an agreement with Sudan to purchase 300,000 bags of sorghum.
The first batch will arrive next week in Unity State through Renk where it will be received by authorities for distribution.
He however decried logistical challenges as a major issue saying transportation would not be easy due to flood which has cut off some locations.
“The floods have not yet receded. The roads have been cut off which is going to make it hard to reach other areas,” he said.
He added that other food assistance will be attained from the East African countries to support other humanitarian assistance which will be given to the greater Equatoria citing the first consignment had shortage to cover the disaster affected areas.
“It was not easy for us to get food for South Susan. Every country now is trying to keep food for themselves,” he said. “We are also having a different humanitarian assistance for those in Equatoria regions” said Mayen. Minister Mayen said states such as Unity; Upper Nile, Malakal; Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Aweil; Warrap and Lake States will be receiving the food consignment coming from Sudan.