2 million euros extra emergency aid for South Sudan - eGov monitor

The Netherlands has earmarked an extra EUR 2 million for emergency aid to South Sudan. Ben Knapen, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation, took this decision because of the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in the country. 

Poor harvests, price rises, and the growing number of displaced persons, refugees and South Sudanese returning from Sudan have caused the food situation to deteriorate sharply. The number of people dependent on food aid has doubled, from 1.2 million in 2011 to 2.4 million in May 2012. The number of people requiring aid is expected to rise yet further to 4.7 million. According to the United Nations, USD 170 million is needed right now to prevent famine in South Sudan.

The Dutch contribution will benefit the UN common humanitarian fund for aid activities by UN organisations and NGOs alike. Making a donation through the fund helps ensure that aid is coordinated and deployed as efficiently as possible. The Netherlands already donated EUR 4 million to the fund earlier this year. The extra contribution brings total Dutch aid for the emergency situation in South Sudan – including donations to the Red Cross and NGOs – to a total of EUR 6.8 million. Mr Knapen will visit South Sudan on 7 June.