The United Nations refugee agency and development partners on Friday appealed for $1.2 billion to address the refugee crisis in eastern Africa.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the funds will be used to deliver humanitarian assistance and protection to 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees and local communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda.
“Funding is urgently needed to help these host countries to provide food, shelter, and access to essential services such as education and health care,” the UNHCR said in a statement.
It said South Sudan continues to grapple with sporadic violence, chronic food insecurity and the devastating impact of major flooding after nearly a decade of conflict and despite efforts toward implementing a peace agreement.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the UNHCR said, has also strained people’s resources, significantly reducing their ability to sustainably meet their needs.
According to the UN refugee agency, asylum countries are facing similar challenges from the climate crisis and the pandemic but have continued to keep their doors open for refugees.
It said governments in the five countries of asylum will be supported in their efforts to integrate South Sudanese refugees in national systems for social service delivery.
MG/abj/APA