Growing Sudanese and South Sudanese needs prompt more EU aid

Given the worsening humanitarian crisis of  Sudan and  South Sudan, the Commission is boosting by € 40 million its aid, bringing to € 127 million the Commission´s relief aid in these countries for this year.Kristalina Georgieva, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response has stated accordingly: "Our humanitarian experts in the crisis areas have alerted me that the situation is deteriorating fast and the needs are growing. It is vital to scale up our immediate response in the border areas".
In South Sudan, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated drastically in 2012. The influx of refugees into already full camps has boosted food insecurity and the risks of cholera, malaria and other diseases. Poor harvests have exacerbated food shortages – the World Food Programme now estimates that this year half of the population of South Sudan – 4.7 million people – is food insecure, up from 3.8 million last year. This situation is likely to worsen due to the government's decision to shut down oil production and therefore 98% of its revenues.
In Sudan, the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile is on-going. Neutral humanitarian organisations are denied access and therefore struggle to deliver assistance to people in need. The Commission remains engaged and ready to intervene as soon as access conditions are in place. In Darfur, in spite of access constraints, humanitarian assistance is being provided to victims of conflict, as new displacements continue to occur.

Source: European Commission