The Government of Japan announced contributing 4.1 million to UN Office for Projects or UNOPS to construct a river port and a drainage system to increase humanitarian access and improve sanitary conditions for internally displaced persons or IDPs in Mingkaman of Lakes State.
Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan Takeshi Akamatsu in a statement on Monday said humanitarian access to affected areas is severely hampered by lack of robust, infrastructure and that food insecurity remains a grave problem.
He said a cheap energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative transportation method is the river system since the cost of rebuilding roads is relatively high.
The Ambassador said the project would develop water infrastructure, including piers, offloading facilities and storage spaces, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to deliver crucial aid to IDPs and reduce food insecurity in Mingkaman.
He warned that increased risk of infectious and waterborne diseases outbreak would worsen with the onset of the rainy season due to the fragile sanitary conditions in the area due to the sharp increase of IDPs.
Mr Akamatsu explained that river transport in South Sudan is the key to increase the transportation capacity, reduce the operational cost of humanitarian assistance and improve sanitary condition.