The UK Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds, a member of the Cabinet and the most senior visitor to South Sudan for many years, pressed for meaningful progress towards a stable, safe and democratic South Sudan during a three-day visit 18-21 August.
Minister Dodds underlined the UK’s longstanding support to the people of South Sudan, and announced a package of £74 million to support the most vulnerable across South Sudan who are facing the devastating effects of a protracted humanitarian crisis, flooding and regional conflict.
The Minister for Development, Annelise Dodds, announced the UK aid package during her visit to Bentiu IDP camp, South Sudan’s largest internally displaced persons’ camp, which is home to 100,000 people fleeing conflict and flooding. She met with people facing extreme poverty and instability, seeing how UK aid is supporting them.
Meaningful political progress is essential to ensure peace and stability and to address the growing humanitarian need across the country.
During meetings with First Vice President Riek Machar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramadan Gok, Minister Dodds underlined the urgency of implementing key steps towards a safe, stable and democratic South Sudan. This includes greater government investment in essential health and education services, and creating the conditions necessary to conduct free, fair and inclusive elections including the unification of armed forces, creation and resourcing of credible institutions and a strong civic and political space. Minister Dodds emphasised her concern over the potential of the recent NSS Act to limit political and civil space in South Sudan.
The Minister, who is also the Minister for Women and Equalities in the UK also met Minister of Gender Ayaa Benjamin Warille and Civil Society representatives, and highlighted further UK aid which will support women-led organisations to work with communities to prevent gender-based violence. Counselling and support services will also be made available to women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence.
The Minister of State for Development, Anneliese Dodds said:
The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan has left over 75% of the population in desperate need, with many struggling to feed themselves and their families.
“The camp I visited is also on the frontline of the climate crisis, following unprecedented flooding that threatens to overwhelm over 100,000 displaced people who are already facing acute hunger and need.
“The heartbreaking accounts I heard from those who forced to flee the civil war in neighbouring Sudan hit home the urgent need to support those fleeing conflict.
“The levels of gender-based violence women and girls face in South Sudan is appalling, and I want to thank the survivors who shared their harrowing stories with me.
“I also heard how UK aid is helping provide a lifeline to those in dire need and provide the building blocks for a better future.
“As Minister for Development and Women and Equalities I am determined to do more to alleviate their suffering of these people. New funding I have announced will save lives and tackle food shortages and malnutrition. It will also provide essential support to stop gender-based violence and ensure displaced communities can adapt to deal with the impacts of flooding and the climate crisis.”
“The Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope said:
“We welcome the much-needed attention the United Kingdom is bringing to the displaced people in South Sudan, where already fragile communities are facing the extreme impact of climate change, alongside a large influx of refugees and returnees escaping the war across the border in Sudan.
“Since these multiple crises began, IOM has been responding to the mounting humanitarian needs of displaced populations in the region. While the needs are vast, these additional resources will help us save lives and provide practical solutions by scaling up life-saving transportation assistance, health care, provision of water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, and specific support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.”
Notes to editors:
- The Minister for Development has announced a £86 million package which includes:
- £69 million humanitarian assistance and resilience funding to South Sudan.
- £1.8 million to prevent gender-based violence and to support survivors in South Sudan.
- £15 million for those in Sudan, as well as people fleeing the Sudan conflict in Chad and South Sudan.
- This means a total of £74m will be spent in South Sudan as part of the wider regional package.
- This funding aims to reduce the drivers of famine in South Sudan, protect women and girls and rebuild livelihoods for displaced communities, including people fleeing violence in Sudan.
- More than nine million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan.
- The Sudan conflict has left over half of the Sudanese population in desperate need of food assistance. The conflict has created additional strain on South Sudan, with more than 780,000 people arriving since April 2023.
