The United Nations has released ten million US dollars in emergency funding to support nearly 180,000 people displaced by escalating conflict in Jonglei State, as violence continues to deepen South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
The funding was allocated by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to enable life-saving assistance for communities uprooted by fighting that has intensified since late December.
According to the UN, the funds will support critical humanitarian interventions including food assistance, healthcare services, emergency shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as programs aimed at preventing gender-based violence and violence against children.
Since the end of December, renewed clashes have forced more than 200,000 people to flee their homes across Jonglei State.
Vulnerable groups including women and girls, children, people with disabilities, and older persons face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse as displacement increases.
Humanitarian access to affected areas remains severely constrained. A government-declared no-fly zone over Jonglei State, combined with ongoing insecurity and bureaucratic impediments, continues to limit the ability of aid agencies to reach people in urgent need.
Despite these challenges, around 15 non-governmental organizations are currently providing essential assistance on the ground, operating with limited resources amid growing needs.
The UN warned that the situation in Jonglei reflects a broader humanitarian emergency across South Sudan.
This year, the UN and its partners are appealing for nearly 1.5 billion dollars to support more than four million people in need of humanitarian assistance nationwide.
Humanitarian officials say the CERF allocation is intended to provide immediate relief, but stress that sustained funding and improved access are critical to prevent further deterioration of conditions for conflict-affected communities.
