U.S. Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the People of South Sudan

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
September 22, 2015

The United States is pleased to announce more than $80 million in additional humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected people in South Sudan, and for South Sudanese refugees in the region. This announcement follows the signing of the peace agreement between the government of South Sudan and the opposition on August 26, 2015 that seeks to end the country’s 20-month conflict. The agreement presents an opportunity to save lives threatened by violence and return the country to a productive path forward. With this additional contribution, total U.S. assistance since the start of the conflict in December 2013 has reached more than $1.3 billion for vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons, refugees seeking asylum in South Sudan, and those South Sudanese who are now refugees in neighboring countries.

This additional funding will allow our partners to address urgent needs and prevent the spread of diseases by providing emergency health services, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education, as well as support vulnerable people in meeting nutritional and other basic needs through agriculture and other livelihood activities. It will also provide services for survivors of gender-based violence and malnourished children among affected populations in South Sudan and South Sudanese refugees and host communities in neighboring countries. The U.S. government is also supporting the transport of lifesaving supplies to ensure that people in remote areas receive assistance quickly.

This latest contribution underscores the U.S. government’s long-standing commitment to the people of South Sudan. However, aid can only be effective if it reaches those who need it most. As both parties work on the implementation of the peace agreement, they must uphold their obligations to allow immediate, full, and unconditional humanitarian access to all populations in need in all areas of South Sudan, and to ensure the safety and security of civilians, humanitarian workers, and humanitarian supplies. Only when leaders fulfill the commitments they have made and prioritize those they represent can the situation be stabilized and can people begin to overcome the food insecurity and trauma caused by the recent conflict, and begin to rebuild their lives.