U.S announces over $200 million for humanitarian assistance

The United States government announced on Thursday $288.5 million in additional humanitarian assistance to South Sudan.

This was revealed by Michael J. Adler, the U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan during his visit to Northern Bahr El Ghazal State.

He said that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide this funding through the UN World Food Program (WFP) to provide urgent food and nutrition assistance to nearly 2.2 million people across South Sudan.

Adler said that the U.S government will work tirelessly to support the people of South Sudan.

He called upon the government of South Sudan to address the issue of communal violence across the country and hold those crimes accountable.

In addition, Adler called upon South Sudanese people to support the ongoing peace process in the country.

 Tong Akeen Ngor, the Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State appreciated the effort made by the U.S government to support people affected by floods caused by climatic change.

He said that the issue of insecurity is a bigger challenge in the country, and called upon the donors to help them with agricultural tools such that citizens will be able to cultivate their own food to reduce dependency on humanitarian assistance.

Ngor also called for support toward the state government to enable it construct feeder roads to help ease access for citizens to basic services like education, health and others.

He called for the construction of dykes to prevent floods from destroying properties of people.

Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director said that they are committed to deliver to people of South Sudan any single dollar they are entrusted with to make sure that everybody has access to food.

She said that they are taking more measures to make sure their operations are more efficient to reduce operational costs. WFP hopes to benefit more people through it’s 3000 project sites across the country.

McGroarty called upon government, international community to make South Sudan a peaceful country.

Vice President for Youth and Gender Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior appreciated the effort made by U.S government to support people of South Sudan.

She said that money provided will cover many things surrounding humanitarian needs.

Nyandeng said that the support will help women and children across the country.

She called upon men to support women such that they will be able to participate in development of the country.

Nyandeng said her office will work hard to support women and youth in the country.