By Charles K Mark
Central Equatoria State governor has assured unhindered humanitarian access to all actors and development partners in the state.
Emmanuel Adil Anthony made the assurance on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of Malteser International, which is in the country, to meet government institutions and authorities.
“My administration is keenly working with security apparatus to offer a necessary conducive atmosphere to make the returnee programme a reality ahead of the slated 2024 general elections,” Adil told his guests.
The team, headed by Mr. Fra’ Alessandro De Francisic was seeking cooperation of the governor in consolidating the government’s efforts in health care and food security.
Mr. Adil also appealed to the organization to expand its scope of operations in the state for an equitable provision of essential services to the hardly reached areas.
On his part, the visiting Head of the Delegation for Malteser International, Mr. Alessandro affirmed the organization’s commitment to partnership.
He hopes to consolidate the government’s efforts in strengthening key areas of focus, with an emphasis on healthcare, sanitation, and food security.
Malteser will also support the livelihoods of both the returned and returning masses, he said.
In early October this year, the World Food Programme (WFP) issued an appeal for an urgent $120 million to increase support for people fleeing the Sudan war into South Sudan.
The UN relief agency stated that it had a funding gap of $536 million for South Sudan.
The UN Food Programme warned of a looming hunger emergency on the border between South Sudan and Sudan as families fleeing fighting in Sudan continue to cross the border every day.
The UN’s Children’s Agency (UNICEF) recently suspended delivery of essential aid supplies to Yei River Country after two contracted drivers were murdered along the way.
Two trucks that were attacked while returning to Juba after delivering crucial aid supplies were burned to ashes.
The UN agency had urged the government to step up security and bring the killers to justice, but until now, the perpetrators remain at large.
But the government said it remains committed to boosting security and ensuring the provision of unhindered access to humanitarian actors ahead of the 2024 elections.