The government of Italy has granted a financial contribution of 1 million Euros to support humanitarian activities in response to the severe floods that have affected several regions in South Sudan.

In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, the Italian government said half of the total financial contribution will be channelled through the World Food Programme (WFP), in the framework of WFP’s “Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP) 2018-2020”, and will be focused on food distribution in favour of the population displaced. 

It added that the other half will be channelled through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in the framework of the urgent Appeal “South Sudan Emergency Floods Response”, and will be aimed at providing emergency shelter, water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) assistance as well as health assistance in favour of the population displaced by the floods.

Italy reaffirmed its support to the government of South Sudan and the population affected by the floods.

Close to 1 million people have been directly affected by flooding that destroyed 73,000 metric tons of potential harvests and wiped out tens of thousands of cattle and goats on which people depend for survival.

The government of South Sudan declared a state of emergency in late October in Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Upper Nile and Greater Equatoria because of the floods, calling for international assistance to be stepped up.