South Sudan was admitted to the International Committee of the Red Cross on June 18, a clear sign that the national humanitarian society has become of age.
South Sudan Red Cross or SSRC Deputy Secretary General John Lobor told CRN that now the society has full voice in the International Committee of the Red Cross, including the right to vote.He added that now the national society can access funds from the international Red Cross family because SSRC is recognized as a full member.
Mr Lobor explained that SSRC is mandated to assists victims of natural disasters and conflicts in the whole country.
He said the SSRC assisted victims of floods in Jonglei, Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Lakes State.
The official added that the SSRC provides assistance to returnees across the ten states.
Mr Lobor said the SSRC provided shelter for people displaced by conflict in Upper Nile and Jonglei and reunited families dispersed by the fighting.
He added that emergency action teams provided basic first aid services to people who needed them.
Mr Lobor said the SSRC has the mission to coordinate the action of the Red Cross and Red Crescent family within South Sudan.
SSRC counts with 4,000 members and another 4,000 volunteers across the ten states in South Sudan plus 178 paid staff.
Mr Lobor explained that the society wants to double the number of members and volunteers until the end of 2013.