Australia to provide additional 3m AU $ to South Sudan

The Australian government will provide 3 million AU dollars (2.64 million U.S. dollars) in emergency assistance for communities affected by the continuing unrest in South Sudan in addition to 40 million AU dollars (35.2 million U.S. dollars) already pledged since 2012, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said on Friday. The United Nation's Common Humanitarian Fund will use the additional funding to assist with urgent needs including the protection of civilians and the provision of food, water, sanitation, shelter and medical assistance. The cease-fire agreement between the government of South Sudan and opposition forces represents a welcome first step toward ending hostilities but the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire, DFAT said. More than 646,000 people have been displaced within the country and over 123,000 have fled to neighboring countries. There are an estimated 76,500 people currently sheltering in United Nation's compounds. "Australia calls on all parties to immediately honor their commitments to halt hostilities and to begin an inclusive, peaceful political dialogue," DFAT said in a statement. The latest contribution builds on Australia's existing response to the crisis, including co-sponsoring a UN Security Council decision to increase the strength of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to assist the protection of civilians, and providing two military aircraft to help move UN personnel and equipment into South Sudan. Australia also supports UNMISS through the deployment of a contingent of Australian Defense Force personnel. Australians are advised not to travel to South Sudan, including its capital Juba, because of ongoing military conflict. Australians in South Sudan are urged to leave as soon as possible while commercial options are available.