UN Appeals for 468 Million USD to Aid Refugees in South Sudan in 2025

Juba, Dec 20 (NationPress) The UN refugee agency, along with 48 partners, requires 468 million US dollars to support refugees and host communities in South Sudan in 2025, according to the agency's announcement on Friday.

Marie-Helene Verney, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in South Sudan, cautioned that the recent increase in arrivals is straining services in border areas, and funding for the humanitarian response is critically inadequate.

Verney stated, “The lack of funding threatens efforts to address this new emergency and to meaningfully support new arrivals and the communities hosting them,” as mentioned in her statement.

As reported by the UNHCR official, nearly one million people have entered South Sudan since the onset of the Sudan conflict in April 2023.

She remarked that despite attempts to manage this sudden influx, the humanitarian response is significantly underfunded, with aid agencies in South Sudan only receiving 24 percent of the necessary funds to adequately address people's needs this year.

After over 20 months, the conflict in Sudan shows no indications of abating, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

Verney added, “In less than three weeks, over 80,000 people have sought safety in South Sudan following the escalation of fighting in Sudan's White Nile, Sennar, and Blue Nile States -- this has more than tripled the average number of daily arrivals compared to previous weeks,” indicating the urgent need for assistance.

In response to this new influx, UNHCR and its partners are enhancing protection and support efforts, particularly in areas lacking humanitarian presence.

Verney emphasized, “Right now, we are concentrating on providing life-saving assistance, including providing water and basic health care.”