The government says it will help UN agencies deliver relief food to the people who have been affected by violence in the country.

Yesterday, the government and the SPLM/A in Opposition recommitted themselves to an agreement to improve humanitarian access.

After signing the document on behalf of the South Sudan Government in Addis Ababa, , stressed the importance of the agreement.

“We’re hereby committing ourselves to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance to all the needy,” said Nhial Deng Nhial, the government chief negotiator, “that is in conformity with the Agreement of the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH), of which humanitarian access constitutes an integral part.”

For his part, SPLM/SPLA in Opposition’s Chief negotiator Taban Deng Gai said the document is a good step towards reaching a lasting peace.

“I believe this is a good beginning because this is about the life of the people, this is about preventing hunger; this is about resettling people,” said Mr Deng.  “The only advice I can give here to OCHA and the UN agencies is the importance of coordination mechanism.”

The Representative of UNOCHA to the African Union, Ms. Jeanine Cooper thanked the two parties for their commitment to reduce the humanitarian crisis.

“This commitment that you signed today reassures me and the world at large that you will work with us and we work with you to make sure that whatever help is needed for those people who are suffering, who are displaced, who need to plant before the rains set in, we will reach them through all the corridors possible.”

The Agreement provides for, among others, a one month peace starting from tomorrow to reposition humanitarian supplies and enable the people of South Sudan to plant food crops, care for their livestock and move to areas of safety.

It also calls on the two parties to take all possible measures to respect human rights, protect the civilian population from indiscriminate attack, rape or any other forms of abuse.