International Aid Services (IAS) marked its anniversary of 25 years of “service to humanity” in South Sudan with a celebration yesterday in Juba. The aid group vowed to continue efforts to try to reach conflict-affected people in South Sudan.

IAS works in development and emergency relief to provide water and sanitation services, education and send relief items to affected areas.

According to the event invitation, South Sudan is the “birthplace” of IAS, which now has its head office in Sweden and support offices in USA, Denmark and Germany. In all, it is registered to work in 10 African countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Leif Zetterlund, IAS Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, said that IAS relief workers have been making visits to conflict-affected areas to provide quick response to those in need since the civil war started in December 2013. They are working in partnership with other organizations such as UNICEF.

Zetterlund said that access restrictions and security were concerns for IAS but would not deter them from trying to reach people affected by the conflict.

“We are very much concerned about the present security situation in the country but it is also challenging us to speed up our service to the people,” Zetterlund said. "Access could be a restriction to us to reach some vulnerable people in some of the other areas. Our aim is not to maintain a presence in only safe areas – our focus is reach wherever we can have access to the people.”

The relief boss added, “We are still looking into the possibility to expand to certain areas where no one else is working or add capacity where other people are working but they feel their resources and capacity are limited.”

Jerzy Makarowski, head of the Swedish embassy in Juba, also addressed the gathering at the Crown Hotel in Juba in celebration of the 25 years of work of the Swedish relief organization. He said that he was very proud of Swedish activities in South Sudan and noted that his country has been a major donor to relief efforts.

“Your presence 25 years ago was needed and it’s very sadly still needed in this country. We have one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters in this country,” he said.

Makarowski said that peace was needed in South Sudan as much as humanitarian relief: “Humanitarian organizations or aid organizations are needed more than ever but what this country needs first and foremost is peace. We have to help South Sudan first and foremost... to achieve peaceful solution to this conflict that has been going on for far too long.”

“Once peace has arrived many other things will follow… peace is the beginning that this country needs just like any other country,” he added.

Photo: Leif Zetterlund, IAS Chief Executive (above); Swedish diplomat Jerzy Markarowski (below)