9 January 2014 - A top UN official announced today in New York the allocation of $15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support relief efforts in South Sudan.

“Conditions for the South Sudanese fleeing hostilities in their country are getting worse by the day,” said Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos. “With this CERF funding, UN humanitarian agencies will be better able to meet the needs of people desperately seeking shelter and safety.”

Humanitarian partners in South Sudan estimate that more than 231,000 people have been displaced since hostilities erupted between government and opposition forces on 15 December.

Those affected include almost 60,000 people who have sought shelter in UN bases. A further 42,800 South Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries like Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda..

The humanitarian country team in South Sudan will ensure the CERF funds go to the most critical needs in the country. UN agencies will use the funds to improve living conditions of tens of thousands of people in overcrowded camps.

The allocation will also go to air support for medical evacuations and for relief workers to reach people in need in places inaccessible or too insecure to get to by road.

Globally CERF allocated almost $482 million in 2013, of which $11.6 million went towards relief efforts in South Sudan. Since the country gained independence in July 2011, aid agencies in South Sudan have received almost $74.4 million from CERF for critical assistance, including food, clean water, shelter and health services.