The Turkish Embassy in South Sudan on Friday distributed 200 Ramadan food packages to vulnerable Muslims in South Sudan.
The food packages included cooking oil, beans, rice, sugar and maize flour. The donation was handed over to Tawasul Humanitarian Islamic Organization by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
The Turkish embassy has so far distributed 400 food packages to underprivileged people since the start of this year’s holy month of Ramadan.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Juba Islamic University in Konyo-Konyo on Friday, Turkish Ambassador to South Sudan, Erdem Mutaf said the assistance is a symbol of Turkish support and solidarity with the people of South Sudan.
“These foods are a symbol of your Turkish sisters and brothers’ help and solidarity with you. Even though we had a very huge disaster a couple of months ago, an earthquake in Turkiye, more than 50,000 people lost their lives but at the same time we are also trying to think of South Sudan under these hard circumstances,” Mutaf said.
“Every year in Ramadan, we try to help our South Sudanese friends, sisters, and brothers. This year, this is the last occasion that we are here together with you supporting your organization,” he added.
The diplomat pointed out that the Turkish Embassy, along with the country’s aid agencies, is working closely with women’s organizations, to implement projects on women empowerment and vocational training.
“As the Turkish Embassy, we are working closely with women’s organizations in South Sudan. We are implementing a project of women empowerment, vocational training, child care, and helping elderly and disabled people because we know supporting women means supporting societies,” he said.
Medina Mohamed, the Executive Director of Tawasul Humanitarian Islamic Organization, hailed the Turkish Embassy for reaching out to vulnerable people in need.
“Turkish Embassy has really tried to help us during this holy month of Ramadan, despite the crises they have in their country, and they managed to bring for us some food that will help us during this holy month of Ramadan,” Medina said.
The majority of South Sudanese follow Christianity or traditional religions but an estimated 6.2% of the population is Muslim as of 2020, according to recent research.