Team Europe Boosts COVID-19, Humanitarian response in South Sudan

30.07.2020

Team Europe on 29 July successfully operated its second Humanitarian Air Bridge flight to Juba South Sudan, with supplies for COVID-19 and other humanitarian needs in the country. The first flight arrived in Juba a week ago. The cargo on these flights amounts to over 80 tonnes. 

“This is an initiative of the European Union to serve priority countries with high levels of humanitarian needs during the coronavirus pandemic and South Sudan has received one of the largest amount of cargo in Arica,” said Dr Sinead Walsh, EU ambassador to South Sudan.

Group of people checking material

“These two sets of cargo consist of drugs, medical equipment and other humanitarian supplies. Together in what we call Team Europe, EU and its member states have mobilised €49.1 million for South Sudan’s COVID-19 response. This funding helps to strengthen the health system, support the economy and reinforce social support systems in the country.”

French ambassador to South Sudan Marc Trouyet said the humanitarian flights provide the physical evidence of Team Europe’s solidarity with the people of South Sudan. “Health is a global common good. No country can combat this coronavirus pandemic alone; no country will be safe until all countries are safe. That is why Team Europe is leading the international efforts to overcome this pandemic and its consequences,” Trouyet said.

Group of people with boxes of material

South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Beatrice Khamisa urged the recipients of the cargo items to make sure they reach to the most vulnerable people in the country.

Meanwhile, the Humanitarian Affairs Minister Peter Mayen hailed the EU for funding the two humanitarian flights and pledged to work with development partners in the country to ease humanitarian challenges such as access and the safety and security of aid workers.

The EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights to Juba have been operated jointly by the EU, Italy and France and in coordination with the South Sudanese authorities.

The flights are entirely funded by the EU, whereas the cargo belongs to the aid organisations such as UNICEF, WFP, IMC, MSF, Medair and Doctors with Africa CUAM using the flight, coordinated by the Réseau Logistique Humanitaire – a European humanitarian organisations' network.

Group of people with boxes of material in the background