Title: The humanitarian emergency in South Sudan: the disastrous consequences of halting aid deliveries due to fuel shortages
For several days, more than 60,000 people in South Sudan have been facing a desperate famine situation as humanitarian aid deliveries have been interrupted due to a severe fuel shortage. This suspension of food deliveries is due to the fact that the United Nations does not have enough fuel to carry out operations.
This humanitarian crisis comes after the government decided to impose taxes on supplies brought in by United Nations agencies and other international groups. Since February, the government of South Sudan has gradually introduced new taxes and fees at the borders and within the country. Despite last week’s promise to the United Nations not to tax their supplies, no improvement has been seen to date.
If the government does not lift these taxes, more than 145,000 people could be affected by the end of May, warns the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha).
Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, has made an urgent appeal to the government to remove the taxes. She recalled the agreement reached to support populations in need.
“We need the government to act quickly to prevent a halt to humanitarian operations,” she said.
The United Nations estimates that nearly 9 million people in South Sudan will need humanitarian assistance. Among them, around 7.1 million could go hungry during the lean season this year.
This situation is alarming and raises crucial questions about the capacity of the international community to respond effectively to humanitarian crises. It is essential that the Government of South Sudan lifts taxes on humanitarian supplies and ensures rapid and unhindered access to food aid to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.