By Chol D. Johnson
State coordinators from South Sudan’s ten states and three administrative areas have received the first phase of Chinese food aid from the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC).
The assistance is aimed at supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable communities in various areas.
Speaking on Wednesday during the distribution exercise in Juba, RRC Executive Director Kacuol Benjamin Makoi said state coordinators were invited to collect the food assistance on behalf of their respective governments.
“We have invited the state coordinators to come and receive the food for their state governments,” Kacuol said.
He explained that the distribution is being carried out in phases, with Western Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria states among the first to receive their allocations, while others were still in the process of collection.
“So far, some states such as Western Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria have received their food, and others will receive theirs today,” he added.
Kacuol said the first consignment includes rice allocations for each state, with 300 sacks distributed to most states.
However, states with relatively lower numbers of vulnerable populations will receive about 250 sacks.
He noted that Warrap State, which hosts a large number of IDPs, many of them displaced by conflict or arriving from neighboring countries, will receive the highest allocation.
“Warrap State is among the most affected, hosting a large number of internally displaced persons and vulnerable people, many of whom have come from Sudan and other conflict-affected areas,” he said.
Kacuol expressed appreciation to the government of China for its continued humanitarian support to South Sudan.
“I would like to appreciate the Chinese government for supporting vulnerable people in South Sudan with food aid,” he said.
He assured the public that the food would be distributed transparently and would not be diverted or sold by officials.
“There will be no selling of food aid by staff. We assure you that the assistance will reach the intended vulnerable people in the states,” he said.
The distribution exercise, which took place at the RRC warehouse in Juba, marked the release of the first consignment of Chinese food aid, consisting of 36 containers of rice. The aid will be distributed in four phases across the country.
The minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management had earlier launched the nationwide distribution program targeting IDPs and vulnerable populations in all states and administrative areas.
Western Equatoria State Coordinator Victor Hosea Saleh expressed gratitude to both the governments of South Sudan and China for the support.
“We appreciate the Government of South Sudan and the people of China for their support to vulnerable communities,” he said.
Hosea confirmed that his state received 300 sacks of rice, which will be transported to Western Equatoria for distribution to affected populations.
He added assurances that the food would reach intended beneficiaries without diversion.
Eastern Equatoria State Coordinator Lodae Pasial Woyakor also thanked the donors, noting that his state hosts many IDPs due to its proximity to the borders with Kenya and Uganda, where displaced populations often seek refuge.
Eastern Equatoria, like other states, is expected to distribute its allocation to vulnerable households in the coming days.
Although officials acknowledged that the food assistance is not sufficient to meet all needs, they said it will provide critical relief to displaced families and other vulnerable groups across the country.