21 Millions Dollars Allocated For Emergency Fund for South Sudan

By

Peter Louis

Salva Kiir, President of South Sudan, has assured UN chief Ban Ki-moon that he will ensure the peace agreement is fully implemented. This came in a closed-door meeting the UN chief held with President Salva Kiir in Juba yesterday.

For his part, Ki-moon said he is going to convince Dr Riek Machar to return to Juba as soon as possible.

“The secretary-general also assured the president that he will urge Riek Machar to come as soon as possible so that the transitional government of national unity can be formed, Foreign Minister Dr Barnaba Marial told the media after the meeting.

Mr Ki-Moon also held discussions with several officials during the one-day visit before he left this evening for the Democratic Republic of Congo to assess the humanitarian situation there.

During his press conference before leaving South Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call on the international community to do much more to resolve the conflicts in Burundi, DRC and South Sudan.

“What I have seen underscores the need for the international community to do much more to prevent and end conflict, uphold international norms and accountability, reduce displacement, and invest to enhance resilience and leave no one behind.”

“I’m announcing today that we will allocate 21 millions dollars from our emergency response fund for the people of South Sudan. These much needed resources will provide protection and relief when it is needed most. But this action is far from being enough. South Sudan’s humanitarian response plan is only 3% funded. That is a poverty figure, even by today’s standards. I hope that these funds catalyze much more. Time lost means lives lost,” Ban Ki-moon said.

“I am concluding my visit to Juba at a critical time. Above all, I have come here to underscore the United Nations’ commitment to the peace process and the future of South Sudan. As you know, I met his Excellency president Salva Kiir and also spoke by phone with Dr. Riek Machar. I was also profoundly moved by my visits with the students and others affected by this senseless conflict. This is my fourth visit to Juba,” Ban Ki-moon added.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon said that the people of this land suffered decades of brutal civil war. Yet over the last two years, the nightmare has returned with a vengeance. Killings, rape, children forced into becoming soldiers, massive human rights violations and epic corruption. Over two million people have been forced from their homes. Some 200,000 people are being protected in our camps.

Peter Louis

Peter Louis works as a freelance Videographer and Journalist in the Republic of South Sudan. He previously worked for Ebony TV, South Sudan Radio and South Sudan TV, Wau.