Japan earmarks $2m for Sudanese refugees in S. Sudan

By Julius N. Uma

July 13, 2012 (JUBA) – The Japanese government on Friday announced its
contribution of $ 2.04 million as emergency grant assistance to cater for
thousands of Sudanese refugees who have fled their country in to South
Sudan, due the deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Kordofan
and Blue Nile states.

Over 200,000 people, according to the United Nations refugee agency
(UNHCR), have fled fighting into South Sudan and neighboring Ethiopia,
while the influx of these refugees has reportedly worsened living
conditions, hygiene and other sectors in the refugee camps, thus the
urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

“The Government of Japan will provide assistance in sectors of
healthcare, water and hygiene as soon as possible in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),” reads a statement from its embassy in Khartoum.

The Japanese government’s donation comes barely after the German
Foreign Affairs office announced a €5 million increment to its foreign
aid to Sudan and South Sudan, specifically meant to address the
increasing humanitarian challenges facing the two nations.

The Federal Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, in a statement, said
the fund will mainly cater for emergency needs of thousands of
refugees who fled the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan’s South Kordofan
and Blue Nile states into South Sudan.

The Sudanese government recently welcomed a proposed plan by the
African Union, UN and the Arab League, to allow humanitarian access
into the region, a move that was applauded by the international
community.

(ST)