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Roundup: Humanitarian agencies ponder as South Sudan crisis makes three years

Xinhua, December 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

In the wake of dwindling relief supplies and yet increasing number of refugees, humanitarian agencies in Uganda are only left with appealing to the world to help resolve the South Sudan crisis that made three years mid this month.

In a joint statement issued by the Ugandan government, UN agencies and other relief organizations in the east African country, there is need to deliver life-saving assistance to refugees crossing to Uganda and find a lasting solution to the conflict that broke out in December 2013.

"It remains vital that those with influence over the political leadership in South Sudan use all available channels to encourage the warring factions to come together in dialogue and bring an end to the bloodshed," according to the statement released over the weekend.

"For the sake of the South Sudanese people, the world cannot afford to fail. With political solutions to the crisis in short supply, further efforts are needed to find long-term solutions that will allow these refugees to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity," the agencies added.

New figures by the Ugandan government show that 527,472 South Sudanese refugees have fled to Uganda over the last three years, including more than 338,000 since July this year. The figures show that 64 percent of the fleeing refugees are children under 18 years.

A new settlement, Bidibidi, which was opened in August this year in the northwestern part of Uganda, has become one of the largest refugee-hosting areas in the world.

RELIEF CRISIS

Although the South Sudan conflict is seen as one of the world's biggest humanitarian crises, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, it has received minimal funding.

Currently, only 36 percent of the 251 million U.S. dollars needed for 2016 has been received. This, according to relief agencies, threatens to compromise their abilities to provide life-saving assistance and basic services.

"We urge the international community, both those already engaged and new partners to the response, to expedite their contributions of funds and expertise to ensure we can meet the needs of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda," the agencies said.

"We are grateful to our donors for their contributions so far but more must be done to end the suffering of the South Sudanese people," they added.

David Kazungu, Commissioner for Refugees in the Office of Prime Minister, Uganda, said that in the wake of dwindling funding, whatever resources trickle in, they must be put to proper use.

"At this time of so little funding, we must make good use of all resources we are given. I urge all agencies and partners to use these additional resources to address the most critical needs of the refugees," Kazungu said.

Continuing regional and international efforts to help resolve the crisis are yet to provide a lasting solution.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar led to the formation of a transitional unity government in April, but was again devastated by fresh violence in early July.

According to relief agencies, tens of thousands of people have been killed, with over two million displaced and another 4.6 million left severely food insecure since then. Endit