The South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) is set to distribute a consignment of rice donated by China to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees across the country.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday after inspecting the RRC warehouse in Juba, Deputy Chairperson Makuc Makuc Ngong confirmed that the official launch will take place on Wednesday and will be officiated by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management alongside the chairperson of the RRC.
“This consignment of about 37 containers of rice will be launched tomorrow to begin distribution to the most vulnerable populations,” he said. “We are grateful for this support, though the needs remain far greater.”
Makuc highlighted the growing humanitarian pressure in the capital, noting that Juba currently hosts approximately 800,000 IDPs and returnees, with more arriving.
“Juba alone is overwhelmed, with hundreds of thousands of displaced people and returnees settling here, and the numbers continue to rise every day,” he stated. “UN agencies are facilitating the return of our people from Sudan to Juba, but many are left vulnerable and must fend for themselves, while much of the focus remains on refugees. The situation of IDPs is very bad due to donor fatigue.”
“Assistance has reduced significantly, and people are not receiving the rations they used to, and we hope this rice consignment will provide some relief, even though it is not enough,” Makuac added.
He appealed to international NGOs and UN agencies to expand assistance beyond the capital to other affected regions, including Bor, Abiemnhom, Abyei, Warrap, and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
“In places like Wau, where about 250,000 households are hosted, the need is equally urgent. We appeal to humanitarian partners to extend their support to these areas,” he said. “The overall situation of IDPs and returnees remains critical because of reduced funding. This has directly affected the consistent distribution of essential supplies.”
The rice donation from China comes at a time when humanitarian agencies warn of reduced funding and the worsening conditions for displaced populations across South Sudan.
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