By Chol D. Johnson
The South Sudan government has received information and communication technology equipment donated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Sudan.
Speaking to the media during the handover ceremony of equipment, Albino Akol Atak, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, confirmed that the ministry and RRC have received the equipment.
“We have witnessed the handing over of ICT equipment donated by the UNDP to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the RRC,” said Akol.
Akol said that the ICT equipment would enhance the work of the two institutions to deliver humanitarian and disaster management services to the people and vulnerable people of South Sudan.
“For the two institutions to do this job, such equipment is very essential to collect, store, analyse the data and then make an informed decision based on the data,” he expressed.
He emphasised that the institution would be able to address the impact of climate change on the people by using the ICT equipment.
“We will be embarking on addressing the issues of IDPs and the returnees, refugees, and even the host communities that are also affected in one way or another,” Akol said.
The minister said that the equipment will be used to coordinate humanitarian response between the government institutions and the partners.
He further appreciated the UNDP for its support of the government of South Sudan, more specifically, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The ICT equipment donated was five desktop computers, four printers, and two cameras.
Mohamed Abchir, the UNDP Resident Representative, expressed that South Sudan is often facing complex climate-induced disasters and humanitarian needs that demand a rapid, coordinated, and efficient response.
“We are all aware that South Sudan often faces complex climate-induced disasters and humanitarian needs that demand rapid, coordinated, and efficient responses,” Abchir expressed.
Abchir commented that the work of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the RRC is critical to the lives of vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities.
He highlighted that the UNDP is committed to supporting the revitalised peace agreement and sustainable development.
“For us at UNDP, partnering with you to strengthen national capacity is not just a mandate but a core of our commitment to supporting the revitalised peace agreement and sustainable development,” Abchir said.
Abchir underscored that the support was designed to enhance institutional capacity for RRC to ensure robust flood risk monitoring and early warning systems.
He added that equipment would improve coordination and response times during floods and other disaster emergencies.
Abchir further stated that equipment would strengthen the data-driven decision-making process, increase the ability to plan resettlement in low-risk areas, and improve information dissemination to communities at risk of disaster.
Meanwhile, Stephen Kueth Gach, the RRC commissioner, also expressed that the equipment donated will improve their operations.
“This asset or requirement will drastically improve our operational and strategic capacity, whether in disaster response, humanitarian emergency, or data and information sharing,” Kueth expressed.
He assured that the RRC is committed to fostering a partnership to advance a shared goal of stability and prosperity with the UNDP.
“We will ensure that this asset is maintained to the highest standard, allowing our staff to continue their crucial work effectively, especially the national consultants who are running the National Coordination and Operations Centre, NCOC.”