On Tuesday, the Turkish Embassy in South Sudan provided food supplies to 500 families who had fled the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Turkish Ambassador Erdem Mutaf delivered the aid, which consisted of essential items like maize flour, cooking oil, beans, rice, and sugar, to the Chollo (Shilluk) community residing in the Gudele area of Juba.
During the donation ceremony, Ambassador Mutaf expressed that the assistance reflects Turkey’s solidarity with the Chollo Kingdom’s people, who have recently sought refuge from the violence in Sudan.
“I promised to assist the Chollo community, emphasizing that we have shared brotherly and sisterly bonds with them for the past 200 years,”
Mutaf said. “In collaboration with Turkish authorities, including the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, we have arranged this food aid for Chollo returnees in Juba.
Today, we are distributing support to 500 families in this area.”Onyoti Adigo Nyikec, South Sudan’s Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, extended his gratitude to the Turkish Ambassador for his valuable contribution to the Chollo people.
“Today is a significant moment. Thanks to Turkey’s assistance, these people will now have something to sustain them,” he remarked.
“As the ambassador mentioned, the historical ties between the Chollo Kingdom and Turkey go back to the 1680s.”
James Amum, the Paramount Chief of the Chollo Kingdom in Gudele, also commended the Turkish Embassy for standing by his community.
“I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Turkish Ambassador for coming here today.
We are grateful for the food provided to the vulnerable families who escaped from Khartoum, and we appreciate Turkey’s support,” said Amum.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis.
The ongoing conflict has claimed at least 16,650 lives and forced millions to flee.
Among them, over 240,000 South Sudanese have returned to their homeland, while many Sudanese have sought refuge in South Sudan.