EU allocates over €43 million in humanitarian aid to S. Sudan
April 22, 2021 (JUBA) – The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenar?i? on Thursday announced up to €43.5 million in humanitarian aid for South Sudan.
“The humanitarian situation across South Sudan is extremely dire. Parts of this youngest African country are facing famine-like conditions and the country as a whole is bracing itself for the worst food crisis ever,” Lenar?i? said in a statement.
“There seems to be little international interest in this acute situation in the country. Only five donors, including the European Commission, account for almost 77% of total aid to South Sudan. This lack of interest risks turning this already disastrous situation into a forgotten crisis. A scale-up of the humanitarian response is urgently needed from all donors to ensure adequate capacities are in place,” he added.
The EU funding announced on Thursday will help address acute humanitarian needs, provide humanitarian protection to communities affected by violence, and strengthen preparedness to deal with new shocks, including epidemics and natural disasters. With millions of children remaining out of school in South Sudan, part of the funding will also be allocated to Education in Emergencies.
In South Sudan, there are over 8 million people whose fundamental needs are not met, including more than 7 million who are severely food insecure. Parts of the country are facing famine-like conditions.
Overall, in 2020, the European Commission reportedly allocated over €21 million to the pandemic response in the country, including by financing two Humanitarian Air Bridge flights that brought 65 tons of personal protective equipment for frontline workers in July 2020.
This year, the EU is supporting the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to South Sudan through the COVAX facility, which delivered its initial shipment at the end of March.
(ST)