An international meeting aimed at averting the deepening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday. The meeting brought together the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the UN.
An international meeting aimed at averting the deepening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday. The meeting brought together the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the UN.
The IGAD says some 500,000 South Sudanese have fled the country since December 2013 and more are expected to flee in 2015. An additional $809 million is needed in 2015 for the South Sudan Refugee Response Plan.
This high-level meeting will provide an opportunity to mobilize funding and agree actions needed to create an enabling environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and ensure the protection of the civilians.
The event follows a visit to South Sudan by UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation Forest Whitaker to assess the humanitarian situation faced by people affected by the conflict and to highlight the urgent need for peace and stability.
The pledging conference was also attended by international donors, humanitarian partners, and government officials. The government of South Sudan team was led by Foreign Affairs minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin.
Speaking to media in Nairobi, the Under Secretary in the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Clement Taban Dominic, said the government will press upon the donors and aid urgencies to meet their pledges ahead of the rainy season.
He said there is urgent to respond to the needs of 2.5 million people in the coming months ahead. He said the government would ask donor countries to assist partners working on the ground so that they have the resources to preposition to areas that are not accessible during the rainy season, because this is the window of opportunity starting from January to May.
“If they have the resources during these four months, then we are safe and we will have the resources on the ground before the rainy season,” he said.
The meeting is coming at a time when reports are emerging that parts of the country are faced by hardships brought about by the current crisis in the country.
Bishop Joseph Maker Atot of Pacong diocese in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, who accompanied Archbishop Daniel Deng for the enthronement of bishop of Duk diocese, told TCT that people in the areas of Duk and parts of Twic East have been displaced, many houses have been burnt down and people are living in tents.
He added that they saw parts of Bor County that were empty, as they travelled by road from Bor to Panyagoor.
“People have run away because of insecurity in these areas, and the humanitarian situation is very bad,” he said.
He expressed sympathize for the people who were suffering with no one to assist.
“People have nothing at all, they need help, they need food, they need shelters and protection,” he said.
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