Groups partner government to fight Covid-19 in South Sudan

In a concerted effort to fight and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in South Sudan, UNDP Access to Justice and Rule of Law Project have partnered with the government of South Sudan.

The partnership, which was established through the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior, is aimed at protecting the staff and users of justice services against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having an understanding of the fact that South Sudan’s justice system is underfunded and would be unable to strongly undertake the hygiene levels required by the WHO to combat Covid-19, UNDP deemed it necessary to come into the scene and provide the much-needed assistance to the government and the people in the justice system.

The partnership is also aimed at engaging policymakers within the ministries to come up with best preventive measures that should be put in place to protect judges, prosecutors, prison officials, police officers, and Administrative Staff.

While stating the purpose of the partnership, Evelyn Edrom, UNDP’s Chief Technical Advisor and Project Manager of the Access to Justice and Rule of Law Project said,
“COVID-19 poses a risk for people employed in the justice sector. It is an even greater risk for the users of justice services and people who are in detention.”

“Police officers, prison officials, prosecutors, and court staff who resolve people’s grievances, as well as the users who enter the justice system, must stay healthy and protected,” he added.

To fast tract achievement of the goals of the partnership, Evelyn Edrom has handed over the assortment of hygiene and personal protection kits to Hon. Joseph Malek Mabior, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Joseph Malek Mabior.

The minister thanked the UNDP and promised the items would used for the intended purpose.

“I look forward to working with UNDP in a continued partnership that supports capacity building and implementation of the revitalized peace agreement,” said the minister.

Prisoners, suspects in police custody, and juveniles held in reformatory centres are also the target of the UNDP as the rate of infections is high in those places and could result to loss of life.

In that regard, in addition to hygiene kits, heavy-duty disinfecting equipment to disinfect places of detention have been provided.

Similarly, Tarkuo Weah, Rule of Law Officer representing UNDP has handed over the protective and hygiene kits to the Judiciary representative, the President of the Equatoria Circuit, Justice Stephen Simon.

Simon thanked the UNDP for the donation and urged the body to ensure that the items are as well distributed to other courts across the country.

The UNDP still remains committed and willing to continue working closely with the Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior to protect the staff and users of justice services in all the ten states in the country against Covid-19.