By Alan Clement
Senior government officials and humanitarian partners have committed to immediate, coordinated action to eliminate delays in aid delivery as the displacement crisis intensifies in Jonglei State’s Duk County.
The agreement was reached during a high-level coordination meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Albino Akol Atak. The session brought together key stakeholders to assess emergency operations, strengthen preparedness, and tackle the persistent access constraints plaguing northern Jonglei.
According to a statement seen by this outlet from the National Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), the discussions focused on “strengthening emergency response efforts to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, particularly in Duk County and other northern areas of the state.” As well.
Stephen K. Gach the National Chairperson of the RRC, presented an overview of the escalating needs. He emphasized that displacement in Duk County has placed unprecedented pressure on already fragile coping mechanisms for local communities,”All participants agreed on the need to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian services to affected IDPs and the provision of life-saving assistance to other vulnerable populations,” underscoring the vital importance of a rapid response Gach noted,
Jonglei State continues to be one of South Sudan’s most volatile regions, battered by a “triple threat” of intercommunal violence, seasonal flooding, and recurrent displacement. In Duk County, these repeated shocks have left thousands of families entirely dependent on humanitarian aid for food, shelter, and healthcare.
To combat this, the RRC and its partners examined specific logistical bottlenecks that often undermine emergency effectiveness. The meeting focused on, navigating geographical and security challenges in northern Jonglei through Implementing early-action triggers to mitigate deteriorating conditions and Ensuring government structures and aid agencies operate in sync to prevent the duplication of efforts.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs reiterated the government’s pledge to facilitate safe access for aid workers and improve coordination in counties facing acute logistical challenges,By prioritizing a “coordinated push,” officials aim to bridge response gaps and ensure that limited resources reach the most urgent priorities first. In a region where delays have historically led to spikes in food insecurity and health risks, this renewed effort marks a proactive shift to avert a deeper humanitarian catastrophe in Jonglei.