The UK Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds, a member of the Cabinet and the most senior visitor to South Sudan for many years, pressed for meaningful progress towards a stable, safe, and democratic South Sudan during a three-day visit from 18 to 21 August.
She underlined the UK’s longstanding support to the people of South Sudan and announced a package of £74 million to support the most vulnerable across South Sudan who are facing the devastating effects of a protracted humanitarian crisis, flooding, and regional conflict, a Thursday press statement said.
“The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan has left over 75 percent of the population in desperate need, with many struggling to feed themselves and their families. The camp I visited is also on the frontline of the climate crisis, following unprecedented flooding that threatens to overwhelm over 100,000 displaced people who are already facing acute hunger and need. Dodds stated. “The heartbreaking accounts I heard from those who were forced to flee the civil war in neighboring Sudan hit home the urgent need to support those fleeing conflict.”
She added that the levels of gender-based violence women and girls face in South Sudan are appalling, and thanked the survivors who shared their harrowing stories with her.
“The Minister for Development, Annelise Dodds, announced the UK aid package during her visit to Bentiu IDP camp, South Sudan’s largest internally displaced persons’ camp, which is home to 100,000 people fleeing conflict and flooding,” the statement reads in part. “She met with people facing extreme poverty and instability, seeing how UK aid is supporting them. Meaningful political progress is essential to ensure peace and stability and to address the growing humanitarian need across the country.
During meetings with First Vice President Riek Machar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramadan Gok, Minister Dodds underlined the urgency of implementing key steps towards a safe, stable, and democratic South Sudan.
“This includes greater government investment in essential health and education services, and creating the conditions necessary to conduct free, fair and inclusive elections including the unification of armed forces, creation and resourcing of credible institutions and a strong civic and political space,” the statement stressed. “Minister Dodds emphasized her concern over the potential of the recent NSS Act to limit political and civil space in South Sudan.”
The Minister, who is also the Minister for Women and Equalities in the UK also met Minister of Gender Ayaa Benjamin Warille and Civil Society representatives and highlighted further UK aid which will support women-led organisations to work with communities to prevent gender-based violence. Counseling and support services will also be made available to women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence.
For her part, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope said they welcome the much-needed attention the United Kingdom is bringing to the displaced people in South Sudan, where already fragile communities are facing the extreme impact of climate change, alongside a large influx of refugees and returnees escaping the war across the border in Sudan.
“Since these multiple crises began, IOM has been responding to the mounting humanitarian needs of displaced populations in the region,” she remarked. “While the needs are vast, these additional resources will help us save lives and provide practical solutions by scaling up life-saving transportation assistance, health care, provision of water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, and specific support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.”