By Kidega Livingstone
Action Against Hunger in collaboration with the University of Juba, the SUDD Institute, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a research agenda driven by the country.
The two institutions, with funding from Action Against Hunger, will engage in advanced research and educational activities focused on a dynamic regional and World Classic Center of excellent research, innovation, and technology to address the issues of food security, nutrition, lifesaving and climate change.
Speaking during the signing ceremony yesterday, Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, Robert Mayom Deng, said that the institution will provide an expertise committee to lead the physical conduct of the research.
“We are going to look at food security as a priority because our population has been suffering because of a lack of food, and most of them have been depending on humanitarian aid, which cannot help us in the long run. We need to focus on agriculture through research, innovation, and technology,” he said.
In his part, Managing Director of SUDD Institute, Luka Biong Deng, said that he was impressed with the partnership in tracking food security because famine is a big agenda globally.
He cited that the partnership shows the commitment to zero hunger in South Sudan.
He applauded the United Nations for coming up with Sustainable Development Goals that also focus on zero hunger and climate change.
“For us in our institution (SUDD), we are very proud to see that there are collaborations in the research. We need to create a conducive environment to make sure that the research is a success,” he said.
“The issue of resilience and climate change is so important to us that we need to advance dialogue on fighting hunger due to climate change,” he added.
Acting Country Director Action Against Hunger, Testation Woldetsadik said that the partnership would have the ground experience to generate impactful research that will benefit all the South Sudanese.
“Let us launch the partnership and work hand in hand to achieve a bright future for all South Sudanese,” he said.
However, Research Protocol Reviewer, at the Ministry of Health Dr. Ezbon Wapary said that health, climate change, and food security are critical issues in South Sudan.
He said the effort made for collective responsibility will benefit the people of South Sudan in long term.