South Sudan remains ICRC’s largest humanitarian operation in Africa

January 15, 2016 (JUBA) -The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Christine Beerli, has described his organization’s humanitarian operation in South Sudan as the largest in Africa and also ranks second in world’s humanitarian emergency response.

Beerli in a brief meeting with South Sudan vice president, James Wani Igga, said the country remains as the second largest humanitarian operation response in the world due to the ongoing conflicts and displacement of civilian populations across the country.

Three states, of which include Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states are heavily affected by the ongoing conflicts, according to the assessment made by the ICRC.

“South Sudan remains one of ICRC’s top priorities in terms of humanitarian response. People have been significantly affected by displacement, hunger and insecurity,” Beerli added.

“The ICRC reaffirms its commitment to continue providing humanitarian emergency assistance while reinforcing people’s resilience,” she further assured.

In her statement after meeting with South Sudan officials, she pleaded for safe access for humanitarian operations in all fields, urging authorities to respect civilians rights.

“To carry out our work, ICRC staff must continue to be granted unimpeded access to those in need. It is crucial that all parties involved in the conflict respect fundamental humanitarian principles,” she said.

The ICRC vice president was accompanied by several groups of private donors from different sectors including financial, pharmaceutical, educational and technological experts from western countries.

The groups have assessed ICRC water treatment plant in Juba, food distribution in Toch and health centre in Kodok both located in fragile Upper Nile region.

Jurg Eglin, head of ICRC in South Sudan said they have bigger operation in the country targeting vulnerable populations across the war-ravaged young nation, adding that the private sector had been playing a big role in financing their relief operations.

“The private sector plays an increasing role in supporting financially to ICRC activities around the world. South Sudan is our biggest operation in Africa and the second largest worldwide, after
Syria,” said Eglin.

Eglin said the operation requires extensive resources that come partly from corporate donors, who also want to see what the reality on the ground is.

ICRC works alongside South Sudan Red Cross over wider activities in the country in provision of food, clean water, health care and protection to most vulnerable severely affected populations all over the country.

(ST)