German Ambassador to South Sudan Mr. Peter Felten. [Photo/©ECO - Narm]
By Francis Lagu
JUBA, 20 July 2012 [Gurtong] - The German Ambassador Peter Felten made the announcement on Thursday while meeting the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Chairman at the Humanitarian and Disaster Management Ministry in Juba.
The additional funds are already being provided to the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) and the Doctors Without Borders commonly known as MSF.
Felten commended the Relief Commission and local and international humanitarian organisations for their dedication and tireless efforts to provide assistance to people in need.
He pledged the German government’s continued support in the reconstruction of South Sudan.
“My country will continue to support the work of the humanitarian community in south Sudan to save lives, to alleviate suffering and preserve the dignity of those in need”, said Felten.
“At the same, I call on the government of South Sudan to mobilise resources available to address the basic needs of the population”, he appealed.
This aid comes at a time the humanitarian crisis in the new nation is expected to worsen due to the economic hardships following the oil shutdown, poor harvests, closure of borders with the Sudan, inter-communal clashes, large number of South Sudanese returnees and influx of refugees from Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan.
Recently, UNOCHA warned of heavy rainfall that will worsen the humanitarian crisis in the country due to the impassable roads during the wet season.