Conflict: US Government Extends Assistance to South Sudan

 

By Daniel Angok

JUBA, 29 May 2015 [Gurtong] -The United States government has extended a $79 million humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons across South Sudan.

In a statement to newsrooms, the US government expressed concerns with the widespread displacement of civilians and the denial of access for humanitarian assistance to reach populations in need as a result of the ongoing conflict.

The additional financial assistance now brings the total US humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the current crisis in South Sudan to nearly $1.1 billion.

The additional assistance is part of the nearly $800 million the US government is contributing to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, in support of its global operations.

The moneys will be used to provide refugees and internally displaced persons in South Sudan with shelter and access to clean water and sanitation, health care and essential household items, legal assistance as well as activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and programs to protect children, including education.
 
“The United States remains committed to the people of South Sudan.  Humanitarian aid is not the answer to the conflict, and the longer the fighting continues, the longer the South Sudanese people suffer. The Government and Opposition bear full responsibility for the suffering of South Sudanese people, and they must end the violence and allow immediate, full, and unconditional access for aid agencies working to help the people of South Sudan”, read part of the statement.