The Chinese government on Wednesday donated 8,808 tents to the South Sudan government to enable it provide shelter to thousands of returnees and refugees who fled conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Albino Akol Atak Mayom, minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, said that 60 percent of the tents will go to vulnerable people in the 10 states and three administrative areas and 40 percent will support vulnerable people.
“Today is another great day that we are officially receiving donation from the government and People’s Republic of China, last year in May 2023; we received a donation of food items which benefitted our returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Today we are receiving another relief items in terms of tents that also will help our returnees that are coming from Sudan and also our internally displaced people that have been affected by many humanitarian crisis,” said Akol during the handover ceremony held in Juba.
Akol noted that the youngest nation is struggling to cope with the huge influx of returnees and Sudanese refugees since outbreak of conflict on April 15 2023.
He disclosed that prior to outbreak of fighting in Sudan, they were already facing humanitarian crisis caused by heavy floods that displaced more than 2 million people.
“These people have been in Sudan for decades and some of them will have no shelter to stay, leave alone what to eat and other services. So this donation plus the donation that we have already received will benefit these returnees and the idea is to support their integration and resettlement in their areas,” said Akol.
As of January 8 2023, South Sudan has received 489,284 people from Sudan and about 82 percent are South Sudanese nationals.
Akol said they have already helped to transport 182,400 returnees to their areas of origin.
According to the United Nations, 9 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection services in South Sudan in 2024 alone.
Humanitarian agencies require 1.8 billion U.S dollars to respond to the humanitarian needs in South Sudan this year.
“We are yet to struggle so that we get this money to serve these people, so with this donation this is one of the contributions. This is why we really thank the government of the People’s Republic of China for this donation,” said Akol.
Photo shows some of the 8808 tents in containers at the Relief Rehabilitation Commission compound in Juba.
William Chan Achuil, undersecretary for the ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, said the Chinese government has always been supporting South Sudan in it’s hour of need, adding that this latest donation will ease the burden on vulnerable communities.
“The Chinese government and the people extended support to the people of South Sudan in many locations whenever we have emergency in any area, natural disasters, internally displaced persons and returnees they are always onboard with us,” said Chan.
Ma Qiang, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan said that China officially handed over 8,808 tents to South Sudan, hoping to bring hope and safety to the vulnerable communities.
“A portion of the tents donated by the Chinese government will be distributed to returnees and refugees, which will meet their urgent needs. China highly appreciates the mediation efforts by South Sudan. It’s hoped that the Sudan crisis could be addressed peacefully at an early date, enabling the political transition of Sudan to be implemented smoothly,” said Ma.
Ma disclosed that China has provided emergency food assistance to South Sudan for many years, benefiting more than one million people.
In addition, Akol appealed to other foreign countries and the international community to also provide in-kind support to South Sudan amid the worsening humanitarian crisis.
He said that South Sudan is experiencing unending economic crisis partly due to the prevailing humanitarian crisis, as majority of it’s population is hugely dependent on humanitarian assistance.
