http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/heads-wfp-and-unhcr-visit-s-sudan-and-ethiopia-amid-alarming-spread-hunger-and-displacement
Heads
Of WFP And UNHCR Visit S Sudan And Ethiopia Amid Alarming Spread Of Hunger
And Displacement
Posted March 31st, 2014 by WFP Copyright: WFP/George Fominyen
JUBA, 31 March 2014 - Alarmed at the impact of ongoing violence in South
Sudan, the heads of the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations
Refugee agency (UNHCR) arrived here today on a joint trip to meet
conflict-affected people and to review the on-going response and needs amid
a spiralling humanitarian crisis.
More than 800,000 people have been displaced in South Sudan by the
conflict, which flared up on 15 December 2013. This includes 68,000 people
who are sheltering in UN peacekeeping bases. A further 254,000 refugees
have crossed into neighbouring countries seeking shelter and food.
Additionally, South Sudan was also hosting some 220,000 refugees from
Sudan in camps close to conflict areas.
WFP's Executive Director Ertharin Cousin and the UN High Commissioner for
Refugees António Guterres will spend two days in South Sudan to meet
displaced people, partners and local authorities, before crossing over the
border to meet some of the more than 80,000 refugees in Ethiopia.
"It is heartbreaking to see that some of the very people who had fled the
war two decades ago, people we helped to return to South Sudan after
independence, are having to flee for their lives again, many back to the
very same places where they lived in exile," said Mr. Guterres, noting
40,000 people have crossed into Sudan to escape recent fighting.
Humanitarian access to refugees, internally displaced persons and other
vulnerable populations is increasingly challenging due to continuing
warfare and shifting conflict lines. The two Agency heads are concerned
about the number of people cut off from any form of aid and the concern
that violence has put farming to a halt in some areas.
"Large-scale population displacement and disruption of markets and trade
routes are creating a food security crisis," said Ms. Cousin. "People are
in acute need. Humanitarians require two things: safe access to those in
need and the funds to bring in lifesaving supplies - food, shelter,
vaccines, healthcare and other aid. Several countries have contributed
generously, but at current levels we are only able to cover a fraction of
the needs."
In the more than 100 days since the start of the conflict more than half a
million people have received food assistance inside the country, but
continued conflict, combined with the onset of the rainy season has made it
difficult to reach many people in need. The relief effort has been further
hampered by a severe lack of funds.
An inter-agency appeal led by UNHCR is calling for more than USD 370
million to fund the refugee response in Ethiopia, Kenya, Republic of Sudan
and Uganda. Inside South Sudan, WFP is facing a funding shortfall of USD
224 million over the next six months, while humanitarian partners require a
further USD42 million for shelter and other non-food items.
# # #
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.
On average, WFP reaches more than 90 million people with food assistance in
80 countries each year.
UNHCR leads and co-ordinates international action to protect refugees and
safeguard their rights and work for their well-being.
Received on Mon Mar 31 2014 - 10:58:57 EDT