The European Commission on Tuesday announced an emergency aid package worth €82 million as famine has been declared in South Sudan.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update released recently by the government, three UN agencies and other humanitarian partners, 4.9 million people are in need of urgent food, agriculture and nutrition assistance.
In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, EU’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides said: “The humanitarian tragedy in South Sudan is entirely man made.”
He called for urgent action to prevent more people from dying of hunger. “I have seen for myself the impact of this crisis when visiting South Sudan and neighbouring countries such as Uganda, and I’m ready to return to the region,” he said.
” Crucially what matters is that all parties allow humanitarian organizations to have immediate and full access to do their job and deliver aid. Ultimately it is only by laying down arms that the country can be rebuilt and that the hopes that came with independence can be fulfilled,” he added.
According to the statement, the new EU humanitarian aid package will be used for the most urgent needs in the country and help neighbouring countries cope with the massive influx of refugees.
The European Commission pointed out that it has made more than €381 million available to respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan since fighting erupted in December 2013.