Mingkaman, South Sudan, April 28, 2016 – The Government of Japan and the Ministry of Transportation, Roads and Bridges jointly inaugurated today a river port in Mingkaman, Awerial County. The $4.1 million port facility, funded by the people of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), will expand the capacity to provide life-saving supplies to South Sudan’s civilian population, particularly those people affected by displacement after the 2013 conflict.
Mingkaman is one of the largest spontaneous settlement sites in the country, with more than 100,000 registered Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) having arrived here from neighboring regions. Despite continued efforts to improve living conditions for IDPs, humanitarian access to the affected areas has been hampered by a lack of robust surface transportation systems, especially during the rainy season. As a result, the IDPs have faced severe food shortages and increased risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases. In response to the humanitarian situation, Japan and UNOPS collaborated to install drainage systems inside the settlement sites to improve hygiene and sanitation conditions to mitigate the risk of waterborne diseases.
The new port on the White Nile provides off-loading facilities and storage spaces, enabling humanitarian organizations to efficiently transport food and nutrition supplies to affected communities, which currently rely on expensive air operations. Given the high cost and lengthy process of building and maintaining roads in South Sudan, the use of natural rivers is a practical solution for infrastructural bottlenecks in view of vitalizing movement of people and goods. Further, river transportation will induce development in other sectors such as agriculture and trade, contributing to mid- to long-term livelihoods and economic growth for the world’s youngest nation.
To commemorate the opening of the port facility, the Mingkaman community hosted a ceremony in the presence of the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Kiya Masahiko; the Minister of Transportation, Roads and Bridges, Hon. Kwong Danhier Gatluak; Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Prof. Lukulenge Lole; and the UNOPS Representative, Mr. Paul Cruickshank.
In his remarks, Ambassador Masahiko said: “The inauguration of Mingkaman River Port is an embodiment of Japan’s answers to South Sudan’s various needs, covering humanitarian relief for the displaced while installing basic infrastructure upon which the country’s future will be built by the locals. As the momentum for peace gains steam, Japan hopes that the port serves as a key driver for economic vibrancy in South Sudan.” Mr. Cruickshank said, “We value our partnership with the people of Japan and South Sudan. We hope that the new port will unlock the constraint of connectivity within the country and expand opportunities for effective delivery of humanitarian services to those people who need them the most.”
For more information, please contact:
(1) Mr. Chandima Atapattu, Project Manager, UNOPS. Tel: +211 (0) 922350917 Email: chandimaa@unops.org
2) Mr. Koji Ito, Economic Affairs and Development Cooperation, Embassy of Japan in South Sudan. Tel: +211(0)956481145, Email: koji.ito-2@mofa.go.jp
3) Renuka Naj, Communications and Reporting Officer, UNOPS.
Email: renukan@unops.org