World Food Programme (WFP) and the Russian Federation have commended Uganda’s potentiality in handling humanitarian problems across the region.
The Ambassador of Russia in Uganda Alexander Dmitrievich Polyakov said the East African County’s approach to humanitarian issues is recognized as standard in the world.
“The government of Uganda succeeded in addressing an unprecedented influx of refugees from South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo. Nobody can count how many human lives were saved – each of them is priceless.”
El Khidir Daloum,WFP Country Representative in Uganda said Uganda has the most generous refugee policy in Africa if not in the world.
“Uganda is a country that has opened its doors for the international organizations to establish their bases in the country that is why we are honored as WFP to be based in Uganda saving locals and guests of Uganda but most importantly we are honored that Uganda is allowing saving the region when we are here,”said Mr Daloum.
The revelation was made during a handover ceremony where the Russian Federation donated 53 Kamaz trucks and 10 trailers to WFP on Wednesday at Globe Trotters offices in Kampala.
The donated vehicles will be stationed at the WFP’s Regional Logistical Hub in Kampala, Uganda and they will assist in the distributions and deliveries of commodities throughout East and Central African regions.
Mr Daloum said the delivery that cost USD10.2 million [Shs40 billion] is expected to boost WFP capacity to deliver food assistance in emergency situations and access hard to reach areas thus allowing them to serve vulnerable people more effectively in terms of food distribution.
“There are a number of places private sectors isolate because of risks or because they cannot make a profit in such places and so such situations always need our intervention. That is why WFP owns trucks and it’s one of the reasons why we warmly welcome the contribution from the Russian Federation and other countries.”
“This is the third major global contribution of KAMZ trucks, following the donation of 40 trucks to WFP Afghanistan in 2012, and a historic contribution of 218 trucks to the global fleet in 2014-2015. This contribution represents a significant moment for the well-established yet growing partnership between Russia and WFP in the area of logistical technologies.”
On the other hand, Ambassador Polyakov said he was optimistic that the contribution will prove to be beneficial to the Uganda and the region at large.
“I’m confident that the contribution will meet all needs of the Global Truck Fleet, help a lot of people to survive in the coming years and address the plight of even more those in need.”
At the same event, Eng Hillary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees revealed that the donation will help to boost the operational performance of Uganda and support WFP’s emergency humanitarian assistance across the region.
“Russian humanitarian technology is highly valued in all settings and it’s our pleasure to receive these trucks to help in the WFP’s mission of saving and changing lives especially in the most challenging operations in the delivery of food assistance to those in need and provision of logistical support to the humanitarian community,” said Eng Onek who was the guest of honor.
