By JOSEPH ODUHA in Juba
Japanese government has offered South Sudan $22.4 million humanitarian assistance, an envoy announced.
Japanese ambassador to South Sudan Kiya Masahiko said in a press
release that the offer was Tokyo's commitment to battling the dire
humanitarian situation caused by politicians.
“Japan attempts to help meet the vast needs with the upcoming
batch of assistance ranging from humanitarian relief to reconstruction,
development and restoration of social fabric, with a view to supporting
South Sudan’s efforts to keep on the straight and narrow path to peace,”
he noted.
Latest conflict
The amount raises to $189 million the total Japanese support to South Sudan since the latest conflict erupted in 2013.
The Japanese aid will address nutrition crisis, health and water, among others areas of humanitarian concerns.
Mr Masahiko urged the South Sudanese to dialogue for lasting peace in their country.
“I wholeheartedly wish that the array of our humanitarian and
resilience-building assistance bears fruit and once and for all shines
as a Guiding Star for those who endeavour to realise peace and
reconciliation in each of their communities,” Mr Masahiko said.
Seeking refuge
apan is one of the largest donors that have disbursed money to the young nation since it attained independence in 2011.
The UN earlier said the humanitarian situation in South Sudan
was comparable to that of Syria as more than 1.3 million people had
become refugees in the neighbouring Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Sudan.
Another 1.8 million people were internally displaced and were seeking refuge at UN camps across the country.
Fighting resumed in Juba last July between rebel Riek Machar's
forces and President Salva Kiir's fighters, heightening insecurity in
South Sudan’s Equatoria region.
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