Gogrial community protests diversion of China relief from needy people

May 11, 2016 (JUBA) – Community leaders in the newly created Gogrial state of former Warrap state – home to President Salva Kiir – have protested the alleged diversion of humanitarian assistance by the government of China to the government of the republic of South Sudan to help vulnerable groups in the country.

The assistance was part of 10,000 bags of rice which the Chinese government had donated to the government of South Sudan to help the vulnerable groups in the war torn nation.

Officials say the national government made the distribution that gives each state 1000 bags of rice to be given to the vulnerable groups.

However, officials from South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation commission, a relief wing of the government under the overall administrative supervision of the ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, charged that governor Abraham Gum Makuac and his deputy, Santino Akot Abiem, took upon themselves to distribute the items among them instead of giving it to the targeted group.

“We are dismayed and feeling ashamed that the governor and his deputy decided with no shame and sympathy of the situation the vulnerable groups, especially the internally displaced persons, the elderly and widows are going through during this hunger period, to distribute among themselves 1000 bags of rice which was donated by the government of China to the government of South Sudan to help the vulnerable group,” the statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday reads in part.

Governor Gum, according to the release, took 75 bags, his deputy Akot Abiem 60 bags and state ministers and members of parliament closed to them 5 bags.

13 County commissioners were given 20 bags each, it said.

The world’s youngest nation has been dependent on relief assistance from the international community in many affected areas in the country.

(ST)