UN appeals for $1.3 billion aid for South Sudan

The United Nations is seeking $1.3 billion in humanitarian aid to support an estimated 5.1 million people facing life threatening situations in South Sudan.

At the launch of South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2016, in Juba, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Eugene Owusu said the amount is the “barest minimum” needed for the challenge. “The challenge we face is unprecedented, but we must not give up”.

“This appeal must be fully funded. It presents the bare minimum required to respond to the most urgent needs and these needs cannot go unanswered,” Owusu added.

114 humanitarian organizations have projects in the plan.

In South Sudan, over 2.3 million people, one in very 5 person in south sudan, have fled their homes during the conflict spanning two years.

230,00 children are acutely malnourished and communicable diseases are spreading at an alarming rate in South Sudan, according to the UN.

“But humanitarian needs cannot wait. we are in a race against time to ensure that the most desperate and vulnerable across South Sudan are reached with life saving protection and assistance before it is too late. We must act now and we need the international community’s support to do so.” Owusu said.