EU increases humanitarian assistance in S. Sudan by €20m
September 27, 2014 (JUBA) – The European Commission has increased by €20 million its funding to South Sudan, which currently faces a worrying humanitarian crisis.
“A human catastrophe of alarming proportions is happening in South Sudan,” said Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response.
“The country faces the worst food security crisis in the world with more than half its population – seven million people – stalked by hunger. 50 000 children are in danger of dying if emergency aid does not reach them now,” she added.
The addition funds, Georgieva said, will address the basic humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable, adding that without peace the toll of human suffering will only continue to grow.
She stressed aid operations will remain inadequate as long as the conflict continues.
“It is the responsibility of the political leadership of South Sudan to end the unnecessary suffering of its people,” noted the top EU official.
The humanitarian situation is drastically worsening due to unpredictable floods as well as outbreaks of cholera and other diseases, including malaria, kala-azar and hepatitis.
With the crops planting season lost as a result of the fighting and the rainy season underway, more than half of the country is now inaccessible by land, the EU said.
The immediate life-saving assistance reportedly focuses on distributing essential food and materials to avoid a further deterioration in the food security situation of the country. The funds will also address the basic needs of more than a million internally displaced people, including shelter, water, hygiene and protection, particularly for children and women.
Meanwhile, the new funding brings the EU’s humanitarian aid in South Sudan to more than €120 million for this year, including assistance to South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.
Humanitarian funding for the crisis from the EU, its member states and the European Commission reportedly stands at over €245 million.
(ST)