International medical humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the government of South Sudan have signed Host Country Agreement (HCA) on Thursday in Juba.
Foreign Affairs Minister, James Morgan Pitia signed the agreement on behalf of the government of South Sudan while Head of Mission in South Sudan, Mamman MUSTAPHA, represented MSF. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and representatives of MSF participated in the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Host Country Agreement between MSF and Government of South Sudan is governed by International Law. It recognises MSF’s legal status as an International Organization and grants a registration in the country. The agreement also allows MSF a number of functional facilities and privileges of an administrative and legal nature, to create a conducive and supportive framework for operations and enhance collaboration with all government ministries, including the Ministry of Health.
“MSF is pleased to sign the HCA with the government of South Sudan as it indicates a close collaboration between MSF and government authorities to ensure smooth delivery of aid across the country,” says Mamman MUSTAPHA, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan.
“Through HCA, MSF further aims at strengthening the cooperation with the government of South Sudan and its concerned ministries for the smooth running of current operations and ensuring its prompt interventions to address medical and humanitarian needs in case of emergencies,” Mamman added.
MSF is an international medical humanitarian organisation that provides care to populations in distress and victims of natural or man-made disasters and armed conflicts, regardless of race, region or political beliefs. In 2023, MSF completes 40 years of its medical and humanitarian assistance in the region that is now South Sudan.
MSF currently offers medical services through 13 regular projects in eight of the 10 states and two administrative areas.