South Sudan has temporarily waived the registration fee for foreign and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in a bid to encourage groups to set up in the country to help with a humanitarian crisis, a senior government official said.
International NGO’s initially had to pay US$ 3,500 to register in the war-torn country, while local ones were required to pay US$500.
The United Nations and the South Sudanese government in December said the country needed US$1.7 billion in aid this year to help 6 million people – about half its population – cope with biting effects of war, hunger and economic decline.
Deputy chairperson of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Paul Dhel attributed the decision to waive the fees to the urgent humanitarian situation facing the country.
“The registration is completely for free. This one is going to boost humanitarian work in the country,” Reuters quotes Dhel to have said.
He also said that the waiver would last for one year.
The South Sudanese government has in the past been criticized for imposing massive charges on aid groups and their workers in order to allow them work in the country.
U.S. ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley welcomed the waiver, saying the fees charged for work permits for foreign aid workers should also be reviewed.
“Work permit fees – often ranging between $2,000 to $4,000 per international staff member – remain a much greater financial burden,” she said in a statement.
