South Sudan relief operation gets $15m boost

January 9, 2014 (JUBA) – The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has earmarked $15m to support relief operations in South Sudan where violence displaced nearly 200,000 people.

Valerie Amos, the emergency relief coordinator said the fund will help aid agencies assist tens of thousands affected by the conflict, which saw over 1,000 people killed.

“Conditions for the South Sudanese fleeing hostilities in their country are getting worse by the day”, Amos said in a statement.

With this CERF funding, UN humanitarian agencies will be better able to meet the needs of people desperately seeking shelter and safety, she added.

The violence, which initially started in the South Sudan capital, Juba and later spread to other parts of the country, has also seen over 42,000 South Sudanese flee to neighbouring Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Last year, CERF reportedly allocated nearly $482m to support global operations, $11.6m of which supported relief efforts in South Sudan.

Aid agencies in South Sudan have, since it’s independence in July 2011, reportedly received about $74.4m from CERF for critical assistance, including food, clean water, shelter and health services.

(ST).