Brussels, 26/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 25 September, the European commission decided that a further €20 million in EU emergency aid will be provided to help vulnerable people in South Sudan against the backdrop of the worsening humanitarian crisis and famine.
The immediate life-saving assistance focuses on distributing essential food and materials to avoid a further deterioration in the food security situation of the country. The new funds address the basic needs of more than a million internally displaced people, including shelter, water, hygiene and protection, especially for children and women.
“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.”
The aid will be channelled through the European Commission's humanitarian partners, which include UN agencies, the World Health Programme and NGOs. It is delivered in extremely challenging circumstances. Attacks against humanitarian workers and general insecurity seriously constrain access to those in need.
The new funding brings the Commission'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 European Union - its member states and the European Commission - stands at over €245 million.
The World Health Programme warned on 24 September that it needs an extra $345 million to carry out crucial work in South Sudan for the next six months. (AN)