The United States Provides $79 Million in Humanitarian Assistance for Displaced Persons in South Sudan

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United States remains deeply concerned about the widespread displacement of civilians and the denial of access for humanitarians to reach populations in need as a result of this man-made crisis.

Accordingly, the United States announced today nearly $79 million in additional humanitarian assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Sudan. With this announcement, the total U.S. humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the current crisis in South Sudan is nearly $1.1 billion.

This additional assistance is part of the nearly $800 million the USG is contributing to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in support of its global operations. It is providing refugees and internally displaced persons in South Sudan with shelter and access to clean water and sanitation; health care and essential household items; legal assistance, and activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence; employment training and kits; and programs to protect children, including education.

The United States remains committed to the people of South Sudan. Humanitarian aid is not the answer to the conflict, and the longer the fighting continues, the longer the South Sudanese people suffer. The Government and Opposition bear full responsibility for the suffering of South Sudanese people, and they must end the violence and allow immediate, full, and unconditional access for aid agencies working to help the people of South Sudan.