South Africa to donate Humanitarian Assistance to Southern Sudan

Pretoria - The South African Government will on Friday 22 August 2008 undertake a humanitarian assistance mission to the Abyei region of the Sudan comprising 40 tons of non perishable items, including tents, blankets, mosquito nets, inflatable mattresses, food and clothes. 

The humanitarian assistance to Sudan is a joined effort between the South African Government and the Gift of the Givers Foundation (International Humanitarian Organisation). South Africa is the Chair of the African Union Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Committee on Sudan and supports post conflict reconstruction and development in the Sudan.

The initiative is a response to international calls for humanitarian assistance to assist the people of Abvei following the fighting in the area in May 2008 in which over 50 000 civilians were displaced.  The consignment is expected to arrive in Juba on 22 August 2008, before being transported to Abvei for distribution.

South Africa expresses the hope that the humanitarian assistance to Abvei will help contribute to the alleviation of the conditions under which the people of Abvei find themselves in at this juncture.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

21 August 2008