Washington, DC - The United States announced more than $133 million in additional humanitarian assistance today in response to a surge in conflict and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in South Sudan over the last two months.
The announcement was made in Geneva, Switzerland, by a U.S. delegation led by U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald E. Booth and including Deputy Assistant Secretary for the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Catherine Wiesner and USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Director Jeremy Konyndyk, at an international conference on the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and its impact on the region.
The United States joined other countries in voicing support for South Sudan’s citizens who are internally displaced or have fled to neighboring countries, refugees from other countries inside South Sudan, and others caught up in the conflict. The delegation also emphasized the urgent need for the parties to the conflict to negotiate a peaceful solution. Including this additional contribution, the U.S. government has contributed more than $1.2 billion in humanitarian assistance since the outbreak of the conflict in December 2013.
This new funding will allow U.S.-funded organizations to provide food and livelihood support and prevent the spread of diseases by providing emergency health services, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education. It will also help survivors of gender-based violence, malnourished children, and persons with disabilities among affected populations in South Sudan, and neighboring countries. The U.S. government is also supporting the transport of life-saving supplies to ensure that people in remote areas get assistance quickly. Over the past two months, there has been an acceleration in the number of displaced civilians, an increase in the harassment of aid workers, and continued restrictions that hamper efforts of aid groups and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
The United States calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately bring an end to the senseless violence in South Sudan. The South Sudanese government and opposition must allow unfettered humanitarian access throughout South Sudan, and ensure the safety and security of civilians, humanitarian workers, and humanitarian supplies.
