UN agencies said on Tuesday that they are in urgent need of 1.8 billion U.S dollars to support 6 million out of 9 million people in South Sudan projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2024.
Marie-Helene Verney, the Acting humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan said they need the funds to reach out to 6 million people with shock-driven needs, such as those impacted by negative climate effects, conflict, and disease outbreaks where they require life-saving assistance.
“We will work to support people’s progress to being self-reliant so that they no longer have to depend on humanitarian assistance. Sadly, for most people, we expect multiple shocks, including the negative impact of climate change, which will continue to drive acute needs next year,” said Verney in a statement issued in Juba.
Verney said that people’s needs have decreased in some areas, where conflict and violence lessened, and agricultural production increased.
She disclosed that the majority of people across the country remain in challenging circumstances, adding that due to less funding in 2024, humanitarian agencies will prioritize assistance to support communities with the most acute needs.
“The reality is that some people will experience needs that humanitarians will not be able to respond to, and it is important that they have access to state-provided basic services,” said Verney.
According to the recent Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) survey, an estimated 7.1 million people will continue to be in food insecurity situation during the lean season from April to July, adding that 1.6 million children remain at critical risk of malnutrition.
Verney said that women and girls remain at high risk of gender-based violence.
She also noted that the ongoing fighting in neighboring Sudan since April 15 increased the caseload of the vulnerable population that requires assistance in South Sudan.
Verney disclosed that the ongoing violence in Sudan has negatively impacted the economy of South Sudan, further stretching people’s coping capacities as market prices increased.
She said that South Sudan’s humanitarian appeal for 2023 is underfunded at 53.8 per cent as of 22 November, adding that timely and sufficient funding is required to ensure people’s most acute needs are met.
“As we continue to operate on the frontlines in highly dangerous conditions to help people move from surviving to thriving, we need attacks on civilians and humanitarians to stop,” said Verney.
