Brussels, 28/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is to release €40 million in emergency humanitarian aid for vulnerable sections of the population, victims of the conflict in South Sudan, announced the European Commission on Thursday 28 July.
The reason for the extra aid is the intensification of fighting in the capital, Juba. It will help cover urgent requirements for food, drinking water, sanitation, protection and basic healthcare.
“The recent deadly escalation of hostilities in South Sudan is extremely worrying and threatens the very fragile situation in the country”, said Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides in a press release, in which he urged “all parties to respect their obligation to grant unhindered and safe humanitarian access to those in need”.
The aid, financed by the European Commission's humanitarian aid service, ECHO, will be channelled through ECHO's partner organisations on the ground.
The resumption of fighting in Juba has led to the forced displacement of more than 10,000 people. Since South Sudan gained its independence on 9 July 2011, the population of the world's youngest nation has had scarcely any respite from violence. The conflict has led to more than 2 million displaced people and nearly 5 million living in severe food insecurity. This batch of €40 million in emergency aid brings the total humanitarian effort from the European Commission in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis to €102 million to date in 2016. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)