LONDON, 31 December 2014 / PRN Africa / — The UK will provide emergency food, shelter and sanitation to half a million refugees that have fled the ongoing fighting in South Sudan.
With almost a quarter of refugees reaching camps in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya suffering from acute malnutrition, the new £16.4 million package will provide:
£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;
£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;
£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.
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.”
This new money brings the UK’s total support for refugees who have fled South Sudan to over £58 million since December 2013, as well as more than £130 million for the 1.4 million people who have been displaced from their homes but remain in the country.
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