UNHCR appeals for $468 million to aid refugees in South Sudan

This call for funding comes amid an overwhelming surge of new arrivals due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Marie-Helene Verney, the UNHCR Representative in South Sudan, highlighted the strain on border area services caused by the recent influx. "The lack of funding threatens efforts to address this new emergency and to meaningfully support new arrivals and the communities hosting them," she stated.

Since the conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, nearly one million individuals have sought refuge in South Sudan. Verney noted the severe underfunding of the humanitarian response, with only 24 percent of the required aid received this year. "Despite efforts to support this sudden influx, the humanitarian response remains woefully underfunded," she added.

The conflict, now over 20 months old, shows no signs of abating, with a recent escalation leading to over 80,000 people fleeing to South Sudan in just three weeks from Sudan's White Nile, Sennar, and Blue Nile States. This has tripled the average daily arrival rate compared to previous weeks.

In response, UNHCR and its partners are intensifying efforts to provide protection and assistance, particularly in areas where humanitarian presence is scarce. "Right now, we are concentrating on providing life-saving assistance, including providing water and basic health care," Verney explained.

This funding appeal underscores the urgent need for international support to manage one of the largest refugee crises in the region, ensuring that both refugees and host communities receive the necessary aid to survive and rebuild their lives. (ILKHA)