6 January 2014 - Seeking funds to assist with South Sudan’s crisis and humanitarian needs, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today launched an appeal for $23.3 million.

Highlighting the organization’s proposed rapid response in various sectors, the appeal is in line with the humanitarian country team’s Crisis Response Plan and broader South Sudan Consolidated Appeal 2014 to 2016, according to IOM Information and Reporting Officer Matthew Graydon.

"The current crisis and its humanitarian consequences have occurred against a backdrop of chronic poverty characterized by inadequate basic services,” stated an appeal summary. “The humanitarian community continues to work to provide impartial, neutral and independent aid to affected communities though access to several affected areas remains limited.”

The crisis has so far forced an estimated 189,000 people to flee their homes and another 62,000 to seek refuge on UN peacekeeping bases, while over 100,000 have gone to other locations across the country.

According to the appeal summary, an estimated 400,000 people may be displaced from January to March, including 200,000 who could seek physical protection on UNMISS bases. It is seeking $12 million for shelter and non-food items and $8.85 million for camp coordination and management.

“UNMISS has requested support from the humanitarian community to ensure that the needs of IDPs (internally displaced persons) are met and appropriate basic services are available while they continue to reside within UNMISS compounds and other camp-like settings,” the appeal summary noted.

“Over-congestion is becoming a significant concern within the UNMISS bases and expansion of existing areas or identification of alternative sites has become a key priority,” the summary added.

The appeal is also seeking $1.7 million for water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as $600,000 to assist in providing health services.

According to a statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in December, aid agencies required $209 million for the immediate crisis in South Sudan, of which $43 million has already been secured, while $166 million is still needed for response from January to March 2014.

A Consolidated Appeal launched in November 2013 put the country’s funding requirements for humanitarian action in 2014 at $1.1 billion.