Germany has reaffirmed supporting South Sudan in the fight against hunger, conflict and the impact of floods and droughts, and to assist those fleeing to the country from the war in Sudan despite other global crises.
A high-level German delegation led by the Director General for Humanitarian Assistance, Deike Potzel, expressed the sentiments during a visit to South Sudan, this week.
The delegation held meetings with vice-presidents Riek Machar (First) and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, among other senior government officials, humanitarian actors and civil society representatives.
Potzel commended South Sudan’s hospitality for refugees from Sudan despite of own hardships.
“Germany supports the people of South Sudan as the second largest bilateral donor to counter the huge humanitarian challenges. We have provided more than 60 million. Euros last year in humanitarian assistance and will remain engaged this year,” Potzel said.
The German delegation stressed the urgency to fully and swiftly implement the peace agreement and to do it in a way of constructive dialogue amongst all partners.
Potzel noted that his country’s support complements the efforts of the Transitional Government of South Sudan, but cannot substitute them.
“The Transitional Government remains in the driving seat especially when it comes to using the country’s resources for humanitarian aid and for the development of the country. Improving transparency on the revenues of natural resources is crucial,” he said
The WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation, Rania Dagash-Kamara, accompanied the German delegation.
The delegation travelled to Bentiu, Malakal, and Renk, where humanitarian crises — exacerbated by the war in Sudan and the climate crisis — continue to unfold. They also visited projects where support from Germany enables life-saving assistance.