Italy Supports Flood Victims in South Sudan
ADDIS ABEBA – The Italian government has granted a financial contribution of 1 million Euros to support humanitarian activities in response to the severe floods that have affected several Regions in South Sudan.
Over 900,000 South Sudanese, including 490,000 children, have been affected by unprecedented rainfall causing flooding in 78 counties – mainly in the eastern part of the country.
The incident has forced Juba to declare a state of emergency in several affected counties.
Italy’s latest grant will go on to support two United Nations agencies that are supporting displaced people due to the flood.
Half of the total Italian financial contribution will be channeled through the World Food Program (WFP) and will be focused on food distribution in favor of the population displaced, its embassy in Addis Ababa said in a statement issued on Friday.
The other half will be channeled through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
It will be aimed at providing emergency shelter, water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) assistance as well as health assistance in favor of the population displaced by the abovementioned floods, reads the statement.
“With this allocation, Italy reaffirms its support to the Government of South Sudan and the population affected by the floods in the different counties in the Eastern and Northern of South Sudan,” says the Embassy.
—-
Reports say hundreds of thousands of people are thought to have lost their homes following heavy seasonal rains that have hit much of the East African region. [Photo AFP]
