By Emelda Siama John Lopula
South Sudan Red Cross [SSRC] has pledged to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the neediest across the country.
The revealed, on Wednesday during the commissioning of the SSRC HQ building, coincided with the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day commemoration.
Secretary General of the South Sudan Red Cross, John Lobor, said that they celebrate the unity of the International Red Cross movement and cheer the principle of the Red Cross Movement to assist the victims of conflict and natural disasters wherever they may be across the world.
“In South Sudan, the SSRC is the largest humanitarian actor with a network of 21 branches across the country, 102 local units, and over 19,000 volunteers and 220 employees,” Lobor said.
According to SSRC secretary general, the institution implements different community programs, in areas of community health, protection, disaster management, water, and sanitation.
Meanwhile, Pierre Dorbs, the Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation to South Sudan was present during the celebration of the event.
According to Pierre Dorbs, they celebrate the power of community, solidarity, and helping people both in the spotlight during times of crisis and behind the scenes in day-to-day life.
Pierre commended Red Cross volunteers for courage, staunch commitment and dedication to helping anyone in need, anywhere, and to always uphold the fundamental principle in all circumstances.
He added that the volunteers always respond to conflicts, natural hazards, climate crises, armed hostilities, health emergencies, displacement, and many other calls.
“Our services have a positive impact on the lives of every member of our community in places like hospitals, schools, community centers, and gatherings,” Dorbs underscored.
He noted that volunteers sometimes provide support directly in people’s homes with life-changing and at times lifesaving services.
The ICRC representative stressed that everyone should be aware of the SSRC’s pivotal role in emergency response in the country.
The ICRC and IFRC continue their utmost commitment to help the national Red Cross body fulfill its auxiliary function in addressing humanitarian requirements in South Sudan.
“We at the ICRC continue to affirm our dedication to assisting the SSRC and other partners,” the ICRC head added.
The ICRC has collaborated with a wide range of authorities, government entities, and development actors to address humanitarian needs and concerns.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of European Union Delegation to South Sudan, Dionyz Hochel appreciated the work of the Red Cross in providing services to those affected by the conflict in Sudan.
“I saw that ten thousand of the returnees are affected by cholera and measles due to poor sanitation, but the humanitarian, SSRC, and NGOs in South Sudan are helping the people in transit camps,” Hochel said.
He encouraged humanitarian organisations to continue helping the last advantaged to overcome the difficult periods and to move them back to other parts of South Sudan.
Hochel highlighted the plight of over 400 returnees living in Malakal, to humanitarian agencies, the international community, and the national government to help transport them to their home areas.