June 20th, 2019(Nyamilepedia) — The European Union (EU) has pledged an additional € 48.5 million for emergency response and surveillance strategies for the Ebola pandemic in South Sudan.
The funding announced on Thursday, is part of last week’s € 1.2 million humanitarian aid, offered to South Sudan by the European Union in an attempt to combat the reported Ebola outbreak in Uganda and neighboring Congo.
Speaking on the World Refugee Day, the European Union’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stilianides pointed to the suffering endured by the South Sudanese communities who had to flee their homes because of the conflict.
“The EU continues to stand by people in need in South Sudan. Today on World Refugee Day let us not forget the 4 million South Sudanese who remain uprooted, either within their country or as refugees in the region. Our new funding will help partners save lives on the ground. It is therefore essential that humanitarian workers have full and safe access to do their lifesaving job.”
The EU diplomat urged that while humanitarian assistance remains a pressing issue, there is an urgent need for a strong commitment to restoring peace and stability in the country.
“While humanitarian support is a matter of urgency, ultimately only a solid commitment to restore peace and stability can bring a long-lasting solution,” said Christos Stylianides, the European Union’s representative.
According to EU statement seen by the Nyamilepedia, The EU-funded humanitarian projects will address, in particular:
“the protection of the most vulnerable, including displaced people in the country, women, and children; The provision of food and nutrition assistance to families in need”
The provision of basic health care in hard-to-reach areas, and the prevention of epidemic outbreaks, and the setting up and running of accelerated education programmes for children who lost out on years of schooling in conflict-affected areas, will provide them a safe environment and a chance for a better future.
Despite the recently signed peace agreement, the humanitarian needs remain high in South Sudan, where there are nearly two million people internally displaced and almost seven million in need of humanitarian assistance.
South Sudan has plunged into civil war, pushing millions to the brink of catastrophic levels of starvation.
