Kenyan president William Ruto donated food and medical supplies to South Sudan after conflict erupted in the Eastern African country.
In a statement dated Saturday, September 24, Ruto acknowledged that there was a humanitarian crisis in parts of the East African Community (EAC) country.
The Head of State noted that the conflict was between warring factions that had signed the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R- ARCSS).Further, Ruto directed that the food items be airlifted to ensure the foodstuff got to the affected families on time.
He also shared images of the foodstuff being loaded onto military planes by officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
“I have directed that a shipment of foodstuff and essential medical supplies be immediately airlifted to Upper Nile and Jonglei States.
Equally, I implore the international community to urgently provide all possible and relevant assistance to the Government of South Sudan to enable it to address this dire situation,” read the statement in part.
Additionally, Ruto revealed that he had a conversation with President Salva Kiir on Saturday, who he called upon to ensure that the affected families got humanitarian assistance.
He added that it was unfortunate that many families were suffering yet it was a season of sharing.
Ruto also called on the larger international community to also intervene as the conflict would also affect the larger EAC block.
“The increasing insecurity, violence, displacement and unfolding humanitarian crisis are detrimental to the peace and stability of South Sudan and the East Africa region as a whole”.
“Women and children bear the greatest brunt of the hostilities in the Upper Nile and Jonglei States and are in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies,” Ruto stated.
