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Sudan Tribune

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UN allocates $14 million for humanitarian operations in South Sudan

South Sudanese flag

A man carries the South Sudan's national flag at Mangateen Internal Displaced persons (IDPs) center during the visit of South Sudan's Vice president in Juba on November 17, 2018. (AFP photo)

September 18, 2022 (GENEVA) – The United Nations humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths on Friday announced the allocation of $14 million from the Central Emergency Fund (CERF) to enhance humanitarian operations in South Sudan.

The allocation, he said in a statement, will scale up operation in 11 African countries.

Also expected to benefit from the fund are Asia, American and Middle East nations.

“Millions of people suffer unprecedented hardship in conflicts, droughts, floods and other humanitarian emergencies where the scale of needs has vastly outpaced the resources we have available. This CERF allocation will address that head on,” said Griffiths.

“I thank the donors who have already generously pledged $502 million for CERF this year, and I urge all donors to continue to focus on these underfunded crises. Your sustained support means humanitarian organizations can reach more people and save more lives,” he added.

Cited as threats are conflict, climate emergencies, hunger and forced displacement.

Funding requirements reportedly reached $49.5 billion this year, and with $17.6 billion received so far, the gap is nearly $32 billion – the widest it has ever been.

This, according to the humanitarian chief, leaves millions of families without life-saving support, especially in crises with little international attention.

CERF is one of the fastest and smartest instruments available to help people affected by crises. Managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the fund enables timely, effective and life-saving humanitarian action by UN agencies and others to kick-start or reinforce emergency response anywhere it is required.

Since its creation by the UN General Assembly in 2005, and with generous contributions from 130 member states and observers, as well as other donors including private individuals, CERF has reportedly assisted hundreds of millions of people with more than $8 billion across more than 110 countries and territories.

(ST)