Islamic Relief has joined more than 80 humanitarian agencies to urge the British government to reconsider its reported plans to cut aid to South Sudan by more than half.
International and National Non-governmental Organisations working in South Sudan call on the UK Government to reconsider urgently the reported 59% budget cuts to vital international aid. South Sudan is at a pivotal point, based on the recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification of “Famine Likely” and “Catastrophic” food insecurity at a number of locations across the country, with over 60% of the population projected to face a crisis or worse levels of food insecurity. Humanitarian assistance is one of the only factors keeping thousands of people from succumbing to the worst outcomes: malnutrition and death.
Severe humanitarian needs across the country have significantly worsened due to a combination of flooding, displacement, and protracted sub-national violence. The sustained support of the international community is critical. As humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding organizations working to support the people of South Sudan coming out of a painful civil war, we call on the UK Government to ensure South Sudan remains a funding priority.
The UK has long played an important role in bolstering South Sudan’s progress with humanitarian support. There is no doubt that the anticipated cuts will cost lives, and undermine significant, long-term progress made with UK funding to date – from saving lives with access to food and safe water, to reducing violence through support for locally-led peacebuilding, and interventions to reduce gender-based violence.
It is vital that the UK continues to invest in both humanitarian response and longer-term action that builds resilience and integrates Disaster Risk Reduction in the country. There needs to be continued support for conflict prevention and peacebuilding – as an end in itself but also, as UK Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs Nick Dyer has rightly pointed out because conflict remains closely linked with food insecurity.
After years of engagement and investment, for the UK to step back now would constitute a crushing blow to the people of South Sudan.
The statement is supported by the South Sudan NGO Forum. The South Sudan NGO Forum comprises 120 international NGOs and over 400 national NGOs providing assistance to the people of South Sudan regardless of ethnic background, political affiliation, or religious belief to save lives and improve lives.
