July 10, 2011, Updated September 11, 2012

As the international community watched the birth of its newest nation, South Sudan, the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid (IsraAID) has taken the lead in organizing much needed supplies to what is said to be one of the poorest countries on earth.

IsraAID will be sending a humanitarian aid cargo to assist the people of South Sudan on behalf of the Israeli and Jewish people as a goodwill gesture between both communities.

After five decades of conflict, South Sudan is in ruins. Illiteracy reaches nearly 90 percent, there is little or no infrastructure in the country, and most of the people have no access to basic clean water and security.

“As a small and relatively new born country Israel has gained experience in various factors of water, agriculture, post trauma, education, migration and others that would be valuable to the people of South Sudan who are now building their country,” said Shachar Zahavi, Founding Director of IsraAID. “It is our mission and Jewish commitment to reach out to our new friends in any way we can.”

The IsraAID teams have already begun assessing the needs on the ground for a long term aid mission that would benefit children, women and elders in the most affected communities in the country.

In related news, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday Israel’s official recognition of South Sudan as an independent state. “I announce here that Israel recognizes South Sudan,” Netanyahu told his cabinet ministers. “We wish it success. It is a peace-seeking country and we would be happy to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and prosperity.”

 

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