18 December 2014 - The UN Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) has allocated $60 million to support aid agencies take maximum advantage of the onset of South Sudan’s dry season, according to a release issue today by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

During the dry season, aid agencies plan to use roads to deliver aid to as many people as possible.

“Thanks to donors, this CHF allocation allows humanitarian partners to hit the ground running from 1 January,” said Toby Lanzer, the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan. “However, it is only 10 per cent of the $600 million we need by the end of February if we are to save more lives and reach all people in acute need in early 2015.”

The largest portion of the CHF funding will support non-food items and emergency shelter, water and sanitation, and livelihood supplies, the statement said. Seeds and tools must be in the right locations by April so that communities can make the most of the planting season.

With a projected 2.5 million people facing food insecurity between January and March, such support is critical, the statement noted. Funding will also go toward camp coordination, education, emergency telecommunications, health, logistics, and protection.

The South Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund is a multi-donor pooled fund established in 2012. Since the current crisis began, the CHF has allocated $194.5 million in South Sudan. Current donors include Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

This CHF allocation comes as aid agencies in South Sudan are appealing for $1.81 billion dollars for 2015 to support 4.1 million people in need. With more timely funding available at the outset of 2015, aid agencies would be well positioned to meet the most acute needs.