EU delivers humanitarian, medical aid for South Sudan

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan(AA) - The EU on Wednesday delivered a large consignment of aid supplies to help South Sudan respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The relief shipment, put together by UN agencies and various aid groups, were brought to the country aboard the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight as part of European support for vulnerable countries during the coronavirus pandemic.

The consignment included humanitarian supplies and medical equipment needed to support the national response to the East African country's efforts against the pandemic.

"We have drugs, medical equipment and other humanitarian supplies," EU ambassador to South Sudan Sinead Walsh told reporters in the capital Juba upon the arrival of the shipment.

Walsh said the delivery to South Sudan was the second largest after that of Yemen, where internal conflict continues to rage, adding that the EU will work closely with the government of South Sudan in the fight on COVID-19.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Peter Mayen hailed the humanitarian assistance and pledged to work together with aid agencies in providing basic needs to the people of South Sudan.

"We will work hand-in-hand with them. Together, we will meet all the challenges we are facing, especially the movement of the humanitarian workers."

The EU said that to help the most vulnerable in South Sudan, it would mobilize a total of €42.5 million ($49.2 million) in humanitarian assistance this year. This includes €9 million to address the effects of a desert locust plague on local communities.

South Sudan has so far recorded 2,211 coronavirus cases so far, with 45 deaths and 1,185 recoveries, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.