South Sudan urged to take action to tackle humanitarian crisis

JUBA, OCTOBER 27, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan on Thursday called on the government of national unity to take urgent action addressing the growing humanitarian crisis in the country.

Ambassador Michael Adler made this call on Thursday following his visit to the Gorom Refugee Settlement, 26KM from the capital Juba, where he noted that U.S. Government assistance to returnees and refugees in South Sudan this year will exceed $100 million.

He said that it is the obligation of the transitional government to allocate funds to support the dire humanitarian need of refugees and returnees amid increased global demands for international humanitarian assistance.

“Ambassador Adler said that this is the obligation of the transitional government as well as a necessity given increased global demands for international humanitarian assistance.  The United States supports the Gorom Refugee Settlement through UNHCR and other implementing partners,” read the statement extended to Sudans Post on Thursday.

The U.S. top diplomat called for the urgent need for the transitional government to increase its financial contribution to humanitarian response in the country.

During his visit, Ambassador Adler was joined by personnel from the U.S. Embassy and from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

Adler was hosted by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Commission on Refugee Affairs and met with refugee and women leaders.  He thanked all those who are providing assistance to the refugees.

The Gorom Refugee Settlement was originally built in 2010 and was designed to host 2,500 Ethiopian refugees fleeing conflict in the Gambella region.

However, since the onset of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, the camp has expanded to accommodate over 7,000 Sudanese new arrivals, bringing the total population to more than 10,000 people.

As the security situation in Sudan continues to displace people, it will become even more urgent for the transitional government to make sincere commitments to assistance and to take meaningful action to allocate funding, resources, and personnel to address the growing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.