High Commission of India

Nairobi

******

PRESS RELEASE

 Humanitarian assistance to South Sudan

1.       In keeping with India’s tradition of reaching out to the people of Africa in times of need, the Indian Naval Ship Airavat, arrived at Mombasa harbor on 20th November, 2020 to deliver 70 MT of food aid meant for South Sudan.  En route to Mombasa, INS Airavat made port calls at Port Sudan, Massawa and Djibouti ports and delivered food aid meant for Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti. The High Commission expresses its gratitude to Kenyan Authorities for all the facilitation at Mombasa Port and transfer of the consignment to South Sudan.

2.      The food aid comprising of wheat flour, sugar and rice is to help alleviate the suffering of the people of South Sudan facing food shortages induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural calamities.  

3.    The food aid was handed over by Shri Ashish Sinha, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Kenya, to Amb. Chol M. U. Ajongo, Ambassador of South Sudan to Kenya at a small ceremony at Mombasa port. The ceremony was attended by Cdr. M Prasanna Kumar, Commanding Officer, INS Airavat, Officials of Kenya Port Authorities, Police Commandant, Mombasa Country and prominent members of Indian Community in Mombasa.

4.    The strong bonds of friendship and brotherly relations between India and countries in Africa have been forged and strengthened over several centuries. India has always stood in solidarity with the countries and people in Africa and has partnered in undertaking development, capacity building, and humanitarian assistance programmes. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of India has worked closely with the Governments in these countries on repatriation of each other's nationals through special flights and for supply of medical assistance.

**********