The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has vowed to open a new page and improve the environment for humanitarian partners operating in the country.

“When I came in, the reports I got, the [ministry staff] were stuck somewhere,

“There was mistrust, there were misunderstandings to some extent that some of these activities have not been well coordinated because nobody took this to another level,” said Minister Albino Akol Atak

The Minister was appointed months after the firing of Peter Mayen Majongdit by President Salva Kiir in November last year.

His statement came after his first meeting with humanitarian stakeholders including UN agencies, and international as well as national organizations operating in the country.

The minister and partners discussed the humanitarian crisis and challenges facing the sector in South Sudan.

The meeting aimed to strategically meet the high demand for humanitarian assistance in the country.

According to Minister Akol Atak, there are 9.4 million people who need humanitarian assistance in the country.

But the funding falls short by 1.7 billion US dollars to respond to the dire humanitarian needs across the country.

Speaking to the media following the meeting, Akol says when he assumed office, he found mistrust, and misunderstanding within the ministry.

He says this has led to a lack of coordination for humanitarian activities and operations in the country.

“Of course, those who are working in humanitarian activities are mostly technical people who are working with our partners, but we need the political leadership that will connect this work,” he added.

Atak stated that he is now seeking to open a new page to work with all humanitarian partners to serve the needy in the country.

“We have to open a new page whereby we will harmonize the direction of the nation … with the partners doing what’s needed by the nation.”

Aid agencies have complained about intermittent attacks on humanitarian workers with perpetrators going scotch-free