South Sudan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation on Friday signed a procurement agreement with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for the supply of flood emergency response goods and commodities for flood-affected communities in South Sudan.
The USD 299 million project is funded by the World Bank and aims to enhance South Sudan’s capacity to respond effectively to flooding and support communities affected by climate-related challenges.
The items to be supplied include sandbags, spades/shovels, pick-axes, wheelbarrows, plastic sheets, digging bars, and empty drums among others.
The five-year project’s components include risk management and climate financing, infrastructure investments and sustainable asset management for climate resilience, and adaptive climate services for resilient communities among others.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Leslie Mhara, UNOPS program coordinator, described the signing of the agreement as a milestone, especially in a country where over 700,000 people have been displaced.
“UNOPS is committed to facilitating quality and sustainable procurement and infrastructure investment, including using these same instruments,” Mhara said, adding that UNOPS will ensure that procurement processes, as well as infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change, is a priority.
“This commitment from UNOPS is evidenced today with this gathering to sign on this key procurement agreement, which demonstrates as well one of the critical pillars for UNOPS’ mandate and expertise with regards to sustainable procurement in support of the regional climate resilient project for East and South Africa” he added.
According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, 38 counties are currently affected by flooding which has displaced about 700,000 people, with the most affected being women and children.
Furthermore, Mhara restated his organization’s commitment to procure the required items on time to support those most affected.
For his part, Peter Mahal Dhieu, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, said the agreement gives the government and those affected by floods optimism.
“It is a contract that will add some efforts to our sisterly ministry, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the UN and other international bodies that are supporting our population in the affected flood areas,” he said. “We urge you (UNOPS) to expedite addressing this current scenario affecting our population. We do not know what will happen in the next few months since already the flow of water from the areas that are receiving rains is too much.”