South Sudan, Egypt agree to strengthen humanitarian cooperation

By Aguok Chok

South Sudan and Egypt have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening humanitarian cooperation following a high-level meeting between the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Albino Akol Atak, and the Egyptian Ambassador to South Sudan, Amb. Hazem Mamdouh Fawzy.

The discussions centered on expanding joint humanitarian responses, building institutional capacity, and supporting long-term development programs targeting vulnerable communities across the country.

The meeting, held in Juba on Tuesday, focused on improving collaboration in disaster management, relief coordination, and the development of early warning systems aimed at strengthening preparedness against emergencies such as flooding, displacement, and other humanitarian crises.

Officials from both sides described the engagement as an important step toward enhancing bilateral cooperation and deepening the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

During the talks, Minister Albino Akol Atak emphasized the importance of collective action and international partnerships in addressing the country’s growing humanitarian challenges.

He stressed that humanitarian cooperation must go beyond emergency response and include long-term development strategies that empower communities to withstand future shocks.

Akol highlighted the need for stronger coordination among regional and international partners to ensure timely and effective responses to emergencies affecting vulnerable populations.

Speaking during the meeting, the minister underscored the importance of regional solidarity and international partnerships in addressing the growing humanitarian needs caused by displacement, flooding and ongoing recovery challenges across South Sudan.

He noted that the government continues to prioritize partnerships that support resilience-building programs, strengthen institutional capacity, and improve disaster preparedness systems nationwide.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Hazem Mamdouh Fawzy reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to expanding its humanitarian partnership with South Sudan through technical cooperation, training programs, and institutional collaboration.

He emphasized that Egypt values its close relations with South Sudan and remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote stability, resilience, and sustainable development across the country.

The ambassador stated Egypt’s commitment to strengthening cooperation through “technical expertise and institutional collaboration aimed at building sustainable solutions and strengthening resilience among affected populations.”

 He further noted that enhanced collaboration between humanitarian agencies, government institutions, and development partners will help ensure that humanitarian responses are more efficient and better coordinated.

Both officials agreed to explore additional avenues of cooperation, including joint training for humanitarian personnel, knowledge exchange in disaster preparedness and early warning systems, and collaborative programs designed to strengthen health emergency responses.

They also committed to improving coordination mechanisms between relevant institutions in both countries to facilitate faster humanitarian interventions when crises occur.

The renewed partnership comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face multiple humanitarian pressures, including climate-related disasters, displacement, and ongoing recovery needs in several regions.

Strengthened international cooperation, they note, will play a key role in improving response capacity and supporting sustainable recovery efforts.