Germany offers additional 1 mln euros in support for S. Sudanese refugees, host communities in Uganda

KAMPALA, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations refugee agency on Wednesday said Germany has increased its support to South Sudan refugees and host communities in Uganda by 1 million euros.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement here that the donation brings Germany's contribution to 17 million euros between 2017-2019.

"The contribution will help UNHCR to provide protection and life-saving assistance to the refugees in Uganda. The funds will be implemented over a period of three years, including 13 million euros in 2017, 2 million in 2018 and 2 million in 2019," the statement said.

In addition, the UN body said, the German Development Bank (KfW) signed with it a 15 million euro agreement for 2018-2021.

The KfW funds will support local capacity-building in the areas of water, education and peaceful coexistence with refugees and local communities.

"The ongoing influx of refugees from South Sudan needs to be stopped. Uganda cannot take another million of displaced people," the statement quoted Albrecht Conze, German Ambassador to Uganda as saying. "We call upon IGAD, the EAC and the leaders of the region to make every effort for termination of the violence and fighting in South Sudan."

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC) both regional bodies have been engaged in efforts to end fighting in South Sudan.

Fighting in the country started in December 2013, forcing thousands of people to flee to neighboring countries.

Uganda hosts over 1 million South Sudanese refugees, according to UN figures. Enditem