The United States is providing nearly $83 million in additional humanitarian assistance to the people of South Sudan affected by the recent violence. With this new funding, the United States humanitarian assistance is nearly $411 million dollars for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014 to aid victims of the conflict in South Sudan, including internally displaced persons and refugees in South Sudan, as well as those South Sudanese who have fled to neighboring countries.

The United States is providing nearly $68 million to UN agencies such as the World Food Program and UNICEF; non-governmental organizations, and the International Organization for Migration to help people forced to flee their homes and displaced in insecure and underserved areas of South Sudan. U.S.-funded aid agencies will provide an additional 13,500 tons of essential food aid and support the distribution of critical relief supplies and services in agriculture and livelihoods, health, and nutrition for the more than 708,000 people displaced in South Sudan. U.S. funding will also provide safe drinking water, latrines, and training on safe hygiene practices to prevent the spread of disease in conflict-affected areas. The funding will also bolster emergency health services, as well as medical and psychosocial support for survivors of gender-based violence and training for local health care providers.

This new funding also includes $15 million for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programs in South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan. UNHCR, with host governments and partner organizations, is already providing protection and assistance to the more than 250,000 refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, since the December 15, 2013, onset of violence in South Sudan.

Amidst ongoing fighting and unpredictable security conditions, the United States and the organizations we fund are working to provide assistance to as many people in need as possible. However, this aid can only be effective if all obstacles to the delivery of life-saving assistance are removed. We call on all parties to the conflict to end the violence and allow immediate, unconditional and unfettered access for the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to reach populations in need in all areas of South Sudan.