Gov’t allocates $16.7m for floods response, contracts 25 entities to supply food to floods-affected communities   

JUBA – South Sudan government has allocated at least $16.7 million for its floods mitigation plan and has contracted at least 25 local companies to deliver food and non-food items to the communities affected by floods, according to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Peter Mayen.

Mayen said some of the companies contracted by the government include Richard Auto, Sam Property Services and Contracting Company LTD, City Logistics LTD, Soon General Trading Co. Ltd and many others.

The senior government official said the companies will deliver the government assistance to the affected communities.

“The ministry of Human affairs and disaster management today has contracted 25 companies to ensure that they are able to embark and responds, government response towards disasters, and we still also respond to the call,” he said.

“When disaster strikes, disasters can’t wait, disasters do not know procedures or process, bureaucracy and other things. So, I call on all those companies that have responded, the 25 companies as the phase page, to response to the disaster in various areas,” he added.

YAKANI WELCOMES GOV’T RESPONSE

In a statement, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani welcomed the government decision as he has been calling for government intervention on the worsening floods situation in the country recently.

“CEPO welcomes the government commitment to effectively response to the hard situation of the floods facing our communities affected with the floods after government declaration of the floods as national disaster,” Yakani said in the statement.

“CEPO appreciates the government response to our advocacy and lobby on effective response to the implications of the floods across the country,” he added.

The outspoken activist further said “the use of the $16.7 million for floods mitigation should be in transparent manner. Similar intervention in the past ended up as sagas. It is essential those companies should be monitor closely by the state and local authorities in delivering their contractual obligations.”

“CEPO is urging the government to be proactive in responding to the situation of the floods affected our communities. In any response to the situation created by the floods, it is Paramount that persons with disabilities should be consider without any excuses or any form of discrimination,” Yakani added.