By John Agok
South Sudan is hopeful of receiving more funding from other countries to bridge gap in Humanitarian services after the donation of 223 and 9 million US dollar by United States of America and Japan respectively.
Addressing a press conference in Juba ahead of World Humanitarian Day celebrated annually on 9th August, Mrs. Sara Beysolow Nyanti the Deputy Special Representative of UN Secretary General also the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator says ,that the donation by US and Japan will cater for only 6.8% not the entire 8.9% of South Sudanese who are in desperate need of assistance.
“We are expecting more funding from other Countries apart from USA and Japan. The Humanitarian assistance in South Sudan for now will focus on 6.8 % targeted people in need out of 8.9%.” she said.
Nyanti added that, the Humanitarian sector will in this phase handle 6.8% of people in dire need of assistance with the present funding standing at only 42% while the rest will be handled when they receive another funding of 80% which is expected to arrive soon.
“We are looking forward for 80% more funding so that we can cover needs of 8.9% of South Sudanese in dire situation. We only targeted 6.8% of them with our 42% funding”, she added.
Relatedly, Annette Hearns the Deputy Head of Office OCHA South Sudan reiterated the role of Humanitarian sector saying its operation is based on the principles of impartiality and humanity.
The OCHA lady cautioned all parties against targeting humanitarian workers who have dedicated their services to helping people who are suffering in South Sudan due to political, ethnic and natural catastrophes.
“Humanitarian workers are life savers not job creators in private sector, and are operating with principles of humanity and impartiality. Why are they being targeted for killing while doing their work to save lives”, she asked.
The celebration of World Humanitarian Day this year is running under the theme: “It takes a village to raise a child. In the same way, it takes an array of partners to Support crisis -affected people”.
