By James Innocent
A senior Malteser International official from Germany has visited Yei River County to assess ongoing projects and better understand the needs of communities receiving support from the organisation.
Michael Steven, who works at Malteser International’s headquarters in Germany, said he had returned to Yei to observe the progress of the organisation’s projects and assess how they are being implemented.
Steven said the visit would help him understand the local context and provide information that could support efforts to advocate for additional funding for programs aimed at assisting vulnerable communities in Yei.
Malteser International team leader in Yei, Semaya Ladu, said it was important for the visiting official to be formally introduced to the county authorities and explain the purpose of his visit.
Ladu said Malteser International has implemented programs in Yei covering water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), livelihoods and health. He said the livelihoods program ended in July, while health and WASH activities continue.
Yei River County Executive Director Hillary Lokudu commended Malteser International for its support to local communities through its health, WASH, and livelihood programs.
Yei River County Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo welcomed the visiting official and said Germany’s cooperation with South Sudan, including support to communities in Yei, was important to the county.
Malimbo said the security situation in Yei remains calm and that people are continuing to return to the area from neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He thanked Germany and Malteser International for their continued support and assured the visiting official that the county government would facilitate his movement and engagement with communities and project sites.
The commissioner also highlighted Germany-supported environmental activities in the county, including tree-planting efforts in Kegulu Forest.
The visit is expected to provide Malteser International with an opportunity to review its activities in Yei and identify priorities for potential future support.