Assistant Sec. Anne C. Richard Travels to Kenya for South Sudan High-Level Event

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
February 6, 2015

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne C. Richard will travel to Kenya from February 9 to 11.

On February 9, Ms. Richard will attend the “High-Level Event on the Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan and its Impact in the Region,” where concerned countries will discuss ways the international humanitarian community can better assist the displaced and other vulnerable South Sudanese made victims of the conflict and pledge initial support for 2015.

While in Kenya, Assistant Secretary Richard will also review regional humanitarian issues with a range of UN agencies, international and non-governmental organizations, and refugee representatives.

Since this crisis started in December 2013, the U.S. Government has provided more than $720 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the South Sudan crisis. This support has provided food, water, medical care, agricultural support, and protection for people in need inside South Sudan and for those who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.

While the United States remains deeply committed to assisting the people of South Sudan, we note humanitarian aid can only be effective if the Government of South Sudan, opposition forces, and all other parties to the conflict stop fighting and remove obstacles to the delivery of life-saving assistance.