Britain said Wednesday that it will provide additional emergency humanitarian aid totaling GBP 16.4 million for international agencies helping the victims of the conflict in South Sudan
The new package will provide emergency food, shelter and sanitation to half a million refugees who have fled the ongoing fighting in South Sudan
A statement by the British Department for International Development said the move aims to respond to the suffering of almost a quarter of refugees in camps in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya from acute malnutrition.
The package includes "GBP 7.4 million to the UNHCR and WFP to assist 200,000 refugees in Ethiopia where recent flooding has destroyed camps.
"As well as food, shelter and sanitation, solar powered lamps will be distributed to help reduce the risk of violence against women and girls, by allowing them to move safely at night," the statement noted.
The package includes "GBP 5.8 million to WFP for 360,000 refugees in Uganda including food for all children under two and targeted supplementary feeding for children under five." It also includes "GBP 3.2 million to WFP to help fill a gap in its food supply in Kenya, without which it would be forced to reduce the size of the rations provided to refugees," the statement added.
UK International Development Minister Desmond Swayne said "Millions of people have fled intolerable violence in South Sudan only to face uncertainty and further hardship where they seek refuge.
"This additional funding from the UK will help ensure these families have their basic needs met.
Ultimately, though, only a political solution to the conflict will allow them the peace and security they deserve," Swayne added.
This new money brings the UK's total support for refugees who have fled South Sudan to over 58 Pound million since December 2013, as well as more than 130 million Pound for the 1.4 million people who have been displaced from their homes but remain in the country.