South Sudan optimistic about continued lifesaving support from U.S.

JUBA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Monday expressed optimism over the recent pledge by the United States to continue supporting millions of people affected by the more than four years of conflict.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Mawien Makol Ariik welcomed the pledge by the new U.S. ambassador Thomas Hushek and revealed that it showed a sign of good will and continued partnership with the U.S which supported South Sudan's independence from Sudan in 2011.

"We welcome the pledge by the U.S. of continued support towards the people of South Sudan and we hope this will enhance relations between the two governments," Makol told Xinhua in Juba.

He also said that the United States continues to support peace in the country despite recent support for sanctions against some senior officials it blamed for obstructing peace efforts which irked the transitional unity government led by President Salva Kiir.

His remarks came after the U.S. ambassador revealed his country's readiness to provide lifesaving support to help millions of South Sudanese displaced by war while presenting his accreditation to President Kiir on Friday in the capital.

This year's UN Famine Early Warning Systems Network disclosed that 7.1 million South Sudanese risk starvation due to the fact that 4.5 million have been displaced from their homes since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013.

The United States remains the largest donor of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan.

Humanitarian agencies recently disclosed that only 20 percent of the 1.7 billion U.S dollars required under the 2018 humanitarian response plan is available leaving millions of people at risk.

South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world.

The UN estimates that about 4 million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 between the rival leaders under UN pressure led to the establishment of a transitional unity government, but was shattered by renewed fighting in July 2016.