The Danish Minister of Development Cooperation has pledged to continue the provision of significant humanitarian aid to South Sudan as millions of its people struggle to survive because of a lack of food, water, healthcare and basic shelter amidst ongoing violence.

During a visit to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan(UNMISS), Ulla Tørnæs was briefed on the political, security and humanitarian situation by the Head of Mission and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, David Shearer.

They discussed the challenges of protecting civilians and building durable peace in a country where millions of people have fled their homes because of the civil war that erupted in 2013 and where there are now six million people severely food insecure despite humanitarian agencies providing a record 2.5 million people a month with food aid. 

“We are very worried about the humanitarian situation with two million refugees in the neighbouring countries and two million internally displaced people as well as learning about the humanitarian workers having difficulty in access and doing their work,” said the Minister. “We are contributing,right now, about $30 million US dollars to the humanitarian assistance and I look forward to continue very strong Danish support to the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.”

The Minister held meetings with the South Sudanese Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs in the capital Juba to discuss the progress being made towards implementing the 2015 peace agreement.

She also travelled to Malakal in the north of South Sudan to visit the Bandar Primary School and to speak with internally displaced people at the Protection of Civilians site. The Minister met with humanitarians, the Head of the UNMISS field office, Hazel Dewet, and the Governor of Central Upper Nile, James Torr Mounybuny. 

“I really urge the politicians of South Sudan to make sure that peace will come. Peace and security are necessary to create prosperity so that the streets of Malakal can once again boom with life and business,” said Ulla Tørnæs.

In addition to its humanitarian contribution, Denmark has also provided US$12 million in development assistance over three years. It contributes 10 staff officers to UNMISS. The Minister met with the officers and was on hand to congratulate them as they received their UN Service Medals.