(Ecofin Agency) - The humanitarian situation in South Sudan is worsening due to years of conflict, food insecurity, climate crisis and public health problems. According to the UN, by 2023, 76 percent of the country's population will need humanitarian assistance. The percentage will represent a 5% increase compared to the 2022 level.  

The UNOCHA plans to raise US$1.7 billion to help South Sudan deal with its humanitarian crisis, a release dated December 20 reveals. 

The envelope sought will finance the 2023 humanitarian response plan (launched on December 20, 2022) of. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which aims to provide life-saving assistance and livelihood support to 6.8 million of the most vulnerable people affected by conflict, climate shocks and protracted displacement in the country. The actions will address food security and social protection issues and also improve access to education, health services and water.

“Today’s launch reflects months of consultations and planning by humanitarians to ensure that we can respond to people’s needs in the face of competing global emergencies and dwindling funding. The people of South Sudan deserve more, and not just efforts that allow them to survive,” said Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. 

According to the OCHA, in South Sudan, 9.4 million people (including 2.2 million women, 4.9 million children and 337,000 refugees) will need humanitarian assistance and protection services in 2023. This represents 76% of the country's population and a 5% increase from 2022.

"Our immediate priorities in 2023 include sustaining our response to people with urgent humanitarian and protection needs, especially women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Humanitarian partners need unimpeded and safe access to deliver timely and essential life-saving assistance. We also need urgent funding to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation," said Ms. Nyanti.

Last year, the agency also launched a 2022 humanitarian response plan whose goal was to raise US$1.7 billion for assistance.