The United States has appealed to the transitional government in Juba to increase its contribution to the 9 million vulnerable South Sudanese, approximately 75 percent of its own population, in need of humanitarian assistance.
The US Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler, made the remarks on Thursday as America marked the 248th independence anniversary.
Adler said that more than 700,000 people, mostly South Sudanese who have fled from Sudan since April 15, 2023, also needed increased support.
“I again call on the transitional government to reduce the costs and risks faced by international donors and humanitarian workers seeking to help the South Sudanese people.
“This includes full and consistent implementation of the transitional government’s commitment to fully enforce exemptions from taxes, duties, and fees for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, UN specialized agencies, diplomatic missions, and other international donors and their contractors, grantees, and implementing partners in South Sudan,’’ he added.
The envoy noted that 12 years ago, South Sudan began its own history as an independent nation, and it did so with the strong support of the US and many other countries whose representatives had joined the Americans in the celebrations.
He said the US support remains based on values, including their conviction that the people of South Sudan should have peace, human rights, democracy, and a government responsive to their needs.
The ambassador pointed out that the US support for the South Sudanese people manifests itself in a number of ways, including through needs-based, life-saving humanitarian assistance.
“As part of that support, today I am announcing more than $57 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs of crisis-affected people in South Sudan. In addition, we intend to provide additional support in the coming months, including $100 million in food aid in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture.
The ambassador said the aid America was providing this year brings the total US government humanitarian assistance in South Sudan to nearly $351 million to date in Fiscal Year 2024 and to nearly $7.3 billion since 2011. It follows decades of humanitarian aid predating South Sudan’s independence.
He said the US relationship with South Sudan must not be thought of only as financial assistance, but also as a matter of values.
July 4 marks America’s declaration of independence in 1776.