The United Kingdom has announced a new £103 million (USD139 million) aid package to support humanitarian, health, and education efforts in South Sudan.
British Ambassador to South Sudan, David Ashley, announced the pledge on Thursday, emphasizing that the aid aims to help communities navigate ongoing crises and rebuild after years of instability.
“Given the pressing needs in South Sudan, the UK will provide £103m (USD139m) of bilateral aid this year to help the South Sudanese people face the humanitarian, conflict and climate crises; access healthcare; and get children into school,” Ambassador Ashley stated.
The UK has so far contributed over £2 billion (USD2.7 billion) in bilateral assistance to South Sudan since its independence in 2011.
Much of this support has been delivered through partnerships with multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, Global Partnership for Education, and GAVI.
The latest funding is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of people in urgent need, providing essential supplies and services in remote and conflict-affected areas.
However, Ambassador Ashley cautioned that humanitarian assistance alone is not a sustainable solution.
He urged South Sudan’s leaders to take greater ownership of national recovery and resource management.
“The world is changing fast and international aid budgets are facing unprecedented pressure,” he said. “It is therefore imperative that South Sudan uses its own resources more effectively to support the essential needs of its people. The UK can complement, but cannot replace, the efforts of the South Sudanese authorities.”
He further underscored the need for long-term peace and governance reforms to ensure the lasting impact of development aid.
“To make aid go further requires peace and better governance, things that we can support, but which only the Government of South Sudan can ensure,” he added.
