(JUBA) – Israel has announced plans to deliver humanitarian aid to South Sudan as the country struggles with a cholera outbreak and severe shortages of essential resources. The initiative is being coordinated by MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, under the instruction of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the aid package will include medical supplies to treat cholera patients, food packages, water purification systems, gloves, face masks and hygiene kits aimed at preventing the further spread of the disease. The operation will be carried out in cooperation with IsraAID, an Israeli humanitarian organisation already active in South Sudan.
“Israel stands by its friends in their time of need,” the ministry said in its announcement on Monday.
The aid delivery comes at a time when South Sudan is grappling not only with a cholera crisis but also with pressure from the large number of refugees fleeing the ongoing war in neighbouring Sudan. The arrival of refugees has worsened living conditions and increased the demand for humanitarian support.
In late July, Foreign Minister Sa’ar hosted his South Sudanese counterpart, Monday Semaya Kumba, in Jerusalem. The two diplomats discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis, with Sa’ar later criticising what he called the “hypocrisy of the international community” for ignoring South Sudan’s role in supporting Sudanese refugees while receiving little assistance in return.
The aid announcement also follows reports in international media suggesting South Sudan was among several countries in talks with Israel about the possible resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. The Government of South Sudan denied the reports last week, saying in a statement that the claims were “baseless and do not reflect the official position or policy of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan.”
However, Joe Szlavik, head of a U.S. lobbying firm working with Juba, told the Associated Press that he had been briefed on the talks and claimed an Israeli delegation was considering a visit to explore the possibility of temporary housing for Palestinians in South Sudan.
CNN also reported that Israel was engaged in discussions with other countries, including Somaliland, Ethiopia, Libya and Indonesia, on the same issue.
