Plagued by years of civil war, thousands of people in South Sudan are suffering from an “entirely man-made humanitarian tragedy”. More than 100,000 people in the country are affected by a famine and an additional 1 million are close to starvation. The United Nations previously accused South Sudan’s government of blocking aid delivery, but President Salva Kiir remarked at the transitional national assembly that they would ensure full access for aid workers. The European Commission also pledged 82 million euro towards an emergency aid package.
The attitudes of South Sudan’s government towards the international community has been hostile, affecting aid access for thousands of suffering people in their country. The U.S. also condemned the South Sudanese leaders for putting their political ambitions ahead of humanitarian aid and relief.
Now that a famine has been declared, will President Kiir acknowledge the severity of the crisis and get people the help that they so desperately need? The United Nations and other international agencies are working together to provide humanitarian relief, but need the support of South Sudan’s government in order to succeed.