South Sudan requires US$1.7 billion in aid next year to help 6 million people – half its population – cope with the effects of war, hunger and economic decline, the government and the United Nations announced on Wednesday.
The world’s youngest nation has been rocked by conflict since Decmeber 2013, just two years after its gained independence from Sudan.
The war was sparked by accusations by President Salva Kiir that his then-deputy Riek Machar was plotting a coup against his rule. Machar denied the allegations but then went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight the government.
The violence has displaced one-third of the country’s population of 12 million, with most families fleeing to makeshift camps, UN compounds or crossing the border into neighboring Uganda, which just became the host of the world’s largest refugee camp earlier this year.
“We are calling for US$1.72 billion to continue providing life-saving assistance and protection for 6 million people most in need in South Sudan,” Alain Noudehou, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, told a news conference.
Humanitarian assistance was needed for people suffering the effects of displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition, violence and economic decline, Noudehou said.
“I believe if we don’t get the amount (US$1.72 billion) and the donors don’t respond to this more crisis in South Sudan will happen. That means 2018 might be worse than 2017,” he said.
Regional leaders and the international community have urged the warring factions to engage in dialogue to end the conflict.
Machar however remains in South Africa where he went to seek medical attention following clashes in Juba last year, but has not been able to return to his country.
