11 March 2021
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 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 organisations 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, longterm 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.
Letter to Dominic Raab on UK support for South Sudan (March 2021)
Notes to Editors
For further information, broadcast interviews or briefings please contact Nana Anto-Awuakye - Email: nanto-awuakye@cafod.org.uk, Mobile: +44 (0)7799 477 541, Out of Office Press Office: +44(0) 7919 301 429.nanto-awuakye@cafod.org.ukFor further information, broadcast interviews or briefings please contact Nana Anto-Awuakye - Email: nanto-awuakye@cafod.org.uk, Mobile: +44 (0)7799 477 541, Out of Office Press Office: +44(0) 7919 301 429.
Signatories:
1. Action Africa Help - AAH 2. Action Against Hunger – ACF 3. Action For Children Development Foundation - ACDF-SS 4. Active Youth Agency 5. Adventist Development and Relief Agency – ADRA 6. Africa Development Aid – ADA 7. Africa Humanitarian Action - AMREF 8. Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development - ACTED 9. American Refugee Committee 10. Association of Volunteers for Service International - AVSI 11. BBC Media Action – BBCMA 12. CAFOD and Trócaire in Partnership - CTP 13. CARE International 14. Caritas Switzerland 15. Catholic Relief Services 16. Child's Destiny and Development Organisation – CHIDDO 17. Christian Aid 18. Christian Blind Mission - CBM 19. Concern Worldwide 20. Concordis International 21. DanChurchAid - DCA 22. Danish Refugee Council - DRC 23. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe 24. Doctors with Africa - CUAMM 25. Dorcas 26. Food for the Hungry - FH 27. GOAL 28. Green Belt Initiative – GBI 29. Health Link South Sudan 30. HealthNet TPO 31. Help A Child 32. Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe - HELP 33. Humane - Aid for Community Organization 34. Humanitarian and Development Consortium – HDC 35. Impact Initiative (REACH) 36. International Aid Services - IAS 37. International Rescue Committee - IRC 38. INTERSOS 39. Islamic Development and Relief Agency 40. Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) 41. Joint Aid Management International – JAM 42. Lutheran World Federation - LWF 43. Medair 44. MENTOR Initiative 45. Mercy Corps - MC 46. Mines Advisory Group - MAG 47. Mission Aviation - MAF 48. Nile Sustainable Development Organisation 49. Nonviolent Peaceforce 50. Norwegian Church Aid - NCA 51. Norwegian Peoples Aid 52. Norwegian Refugee Council - NRC 53. Organismo di Volontariato per la Cooperazione Internazionale – OVCI 54. Oxfam 55. Plan South Sudan 56. Plan UK 57. Polish Humanitarian Action - PAH 58. Populations Services International 59. Relief International 60. Rights for Peace 61. Saferworld 62. Samaritan Purse 63. Save the Children International 64. Smile Again Africa Development Organization - SAADO 65. SCIAF 66. Solidarités International 67. South Sudan Grassroots Initiative for Development 68. Stichting SPARK - SPARK 69. Street Children Ministry 70. Sudan Evangelical Mission - SEM 71. Sudan Peace and Education Development Program 72. TearFund 73. The Carter Centre 74. The Rescue Mission 75. Titi Foundation 76. Veterinarians Without Borders – Canada 77. VSF Germany 78. War Child Holland 79. Women for Change 80. World Concern Development Organization - WCDO 81. World Conservation Society - WCS 82. World Relief 83. World Vision International – WVI 84. World Vision UK 85. Youth Empowerment Organisation
The statement also supported by the South Sudan NGO Forum. The South Sudan NGO Forum comprises 120 INGOs and over 400 NNGOs providing assistance to the people of South Sudan regardless of ethnic background, political affiliation or religious belief to save lives and improve lives. NGO Forum provides a platform through which NGOs, the Government of South Sudan, the United Nations, donors and other external stakeholders can exchange information, share expertise and establish guidelines for a more networked, efficient and effective use of aid resources in South Sudan.
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas International. Across the world we bring hope and compassion to poor communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice. Because we work through the local Church, we can reach people and places that others can’t.
ENDS///