A humanitarian response plan worth 1.7 billion US dollars for South Sudan was launched on Tuesday to support 6.8 million of the most vulnerable people in the next year, a UN humanitarian coordinator said.

The 2023 campaign aims to aid victims of conflict, climate shocks and protracted displacement, said Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.

“Today’s launch reflects months of consultations and planning by humanitarians to ensure that we can respond to people’s needs in the face of competing global emergencies and dwindling funding. The people of South Sudan deserve more and not just efforts that allow them to survive,” said Nyanti.

Over twothirds of South Sudan's population will need some form of humanitarian and protection assistance in 2023, according to the United Nations. It warned that eight million people might be severely food-insecure at the peak of the lean season between April and July.

 “Our immediate priorities in 2023 include sustaining our response to people with urgent humanitarian and protection needs, especially women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Humanitarian partners need unimpeded and safe access to deliver timely and essential life-saving assistance. We also need urgent funding to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation,” Ms. Nyanti stressed.

Nyanti stressed that the violence should stop so that the people of South Sudan can rebuild their lives. “The most vulnerable have inspired us with their resilience and hope. I ask for your support to help shift their hope into a reality,” she concluded.