US announces $100 million in additional food assistance for South Sudan
September 11, 2024 (JUBA) – The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Assistant to the Administrator for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Sonali Korde has announced an additional $100 million in humanitarian food assistance for the people of South Sudan.
The announcement followed her visit to the East African nation from September 9-11.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the US embassy in Juba said Sonali Korde visited key humanitarian project sites and met with senior officials, diplomatic missions, the leadership of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as well as implementing partners.
“This additional life-saving humanitarian assistance – made possible through a partnership between USAID and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – will provide nearly 42,000 metric tons of assistance to approximately one million people experiencing acute food insecurity,” it stated.
According to the US embassy statement, the additional funding now brings the total US government humanitarian assistance to South Sudan to nearly $609 million in Fiscal Year 2024.
“Ending humanitarian crisis in South Sudan requires urgent action,” noted the statement.
The US Embassy urged South Sudan government to do its part and transparently allocate the use of public revenue for humanitarian response and to address other basic public needs.
“South Sudan is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for humanitarian aid workers. The transitional government must also address the unacceptably high safety and security risks faced by UN agencies, NGO partners, and local communities,” further stressed the statement said.
“Peace is a critical element in preventing increased humanitarian crisis. The Embassy welcomes the Tumaini Initiative talks in Nairobi and urges all signatories to the 2018 peace agreement as well as non-signatories to take advantage of this opportunity to advance peace,” it added.
The Embassy said interparty direct talks should as well take place at the leadership level in Juba.
(ST)