South Sudan is still in the web of a humanitarian crisis. It is however, hoped that there would be some significant improvement in the weeks ahead.
Already, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the country, Alain Noudéhou, and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, have welcomed President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s decree ordering free, unimpeded and unhindered movement of humanitarian organizations in the country.
Aid agencies say in a Republican Order dated November 9, President Kiir said: “All humanitarian convoys and NGOs should be accorded free, unimpeded and unhindered movement to the needy areas all over South Sudan.” Adding: “All roadblocks should be removed from the roads.” Humanitarians face repeated challenges to reach people in dire need as a result of clashes, insecurity and access denials. Life-saving activities continue to be disrupted due to access constraints and insecurity, with at least 43 incidents causing the relocation of more than 500 humanitarian staff from January to October 2017.
“Ensuring unhindered humanitarian access is essential to save lives,” said Noudéhou. “South Sudan’s humanitarian partners appreciate the step that President Kiir has taken to ensure the free movement of supplies and personnel, particularly at a time when food insecurity continues to deteriorate, and humanitarian organizations face pressure to expand their response.”
Noudéhou hoped that the order would ease delivery of aid to millions of South Sudanese affected by prolonged conflict, disease and a collapsing economy. “We hope that the order will have a positive impact in reducing the many constraints faced by humanitarian partners that delay or prevent the provision of urgently needed help and which too often place humanitarian staff at risk,” said Noudéhou.
“We look forward to seeing the order implemented on the ground swiftly and we will continue to work with all concerned authorities to ensure a safe and secure operational environment that is conducive to the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need,” he added.
Ambassador Haley also welcomed the order. “This is a good sign, but we must see actions—more than words—from President Kiir,” Haley said in a statement to The Washington Post newspaper. “The true test will be whether humanitarian assistance is actually allowed to get to the South Sudanese people in a consistent way. We will be watching, and we will continue to encourage President Kiir to do the right thing,” she added.
High fees, interference threaten aid delivery
Access restrictions continued to hamper humanitarian operations and organizations’ ability to reach people in need in multiple locations, often due to armed actors contradicting assurances given by authorities.
In Rubkona (Unity), the authorities forced the suspension of water, sanitation and hygiene activities after a partner declined to comply with a directive to employ community volunteers. The suspension affected the delivery of services to over 51,000 people in Bentiu and Rubkona towns. In Juba, authorities issued a circular announcing new work permit rates of up to $4,000 per permit per year, which could see nearly $7 million, meant for people in need, diverted to fees.