Egypt donates 12 tons of food relief to floods victims in South Sudan

JUBA – The Egyptian government on Monday donated 12 tons of food items to support more than 750,000 people displaced by one of the worst floods to hit South Sudan in decades.

More than 750,000 people were reported to have been affected by flooding since May in eight of the country’s 10 states – with Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile being worst affected.

Speaking to reporters at Juba International Airport after receiving the Egyptian donations this afternoon, Peter Mayen Majongdit, South Sudan’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, said the items include sugar, rice, cooking oil, macron, Superghetti, and other essential food items.

“Today the government of South Sudan has received donations from Egypt. This donation is for flood-affected victims. We are really very much happy for this kind of solidarity that has been shown by Egypt, and we are really very much appreciative for donation,” Mayen said.

Mayen said that the donation will boost the government’s efforts to address the humanitarian gap.

“The devastation and the impact of flood differs from one state to the other and this donation will really be a milestone to address gaps that we were unable to fill in this area and we hope continue relationship and solidarity that is being shown we expect more food donations,” he said.

For his part, Ambassador Ahmed Sobhy, Charge de Affairs at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Juba said the donation is a sign of solidarity from the government of Egypt to South Sudan’s flood victims.

“We are delighted to receive military aircraft loaded with 12 tons of emergency food assistance upon instruction by the presidency as support and as solidarity for the relation between the two sisterly countries,” Amb. Sobhy said.

Sobhy further added that more food items will be arriving in the country very soon.

“This is going to be a continue humanitarian support as agreed by president  Sisi to alleviate the suffering of South Sudanese especially those affected by floods and mainly in  Unity and Jonglei state,” he said.

“Hopefully this support will not be the first or the last one, we will be looking forward to seeing many and this is in light of excellent and vibrant strategic relation between Egypt and South Sudan,” he added.