Salva Kiir Meets World Food Program Chief over Relief Access

The South Sudan President, Salva Kiir on Friday met with the United Nation’s World Food Program Executive Director, David Beasley.

The meeting which took place at the presidential palace in capital Juba centered on the humanitarian access in the war ravaged nation according to a statement from the presidency.

“H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit received the Executive Director of World Food Program David Beasley and discussed with him the humanitarian assistance in the country,” said part of the statement.

Half of the South Sudan population, has since the country engulfed in a bloody civil war in December 2013, sbeen surviving on humanitarian aid from UN and other relief agencies for basic needs including food, health and clothing.

Mr. Beasley reportedly commended the currently improved humanitarian access situation that was previously impeded by heavy armed struggle between the government of Kiir and his former vice president Dr. Riek Machar.

“Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Executive Director of World Food Program David Beasley said, they are happy that the leadership has provided humanitarian access to supply humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the War,” said the statement.

Government and the armed opposition SPLA-IO are currently observing the peace agreement signed in September 2018, which put in place cessation of hostilities as parties prep for transitional government of national unity. The deadline for formation of transitional government has however been postponed twice as parties struggle to reach a common position on the integration of forces.

Nevertheless, the WFP chief said they are making more progress in accessing and serving the needy population and also urged for more support from the international community.

Meanwhile the South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Awut Deng Achuil praised the humanitarian organizations for their role in ensuring that the affected population receive the humanitarian assistance needed.