(Ecofin Agency) - Although the refugee crisis in South Sudan is one of the largest in Africa, it was one of the least funded over the past year. With the help of 102 partners, UNHCR wants to raise more funds to support the refugees.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and its partners need $1.2 billion to assist South Sudanese refugees and local communities in five countries on the continent. The UN body announced this in March 18 statement.

The funding is aimed at helping 2.3 million South Sudanese forced to migrate to other countries due to growing violence, chronic food insecurity and natural disasters. Local communities in the host countries will also receive support. Host countries include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. The UN agency revealed that the consequences of the security and food crises and the floods on the population have been exacerbated by covid-19 in the countries hosting the refugees, as well as in South Sudan. This situation has "considerably" reduced the ability of the population to meet their needs. The funds sought will therefore be used "to provide refugees with food, shelter and access to essential services such as education and health care" and to support host governments in integrating these refugees into "national social systems.”

“Refugees and local communities will receive help to boost their resilience by identifying and diversifying opportunities to earn a living. This is vital against a backdrop of chronic underfunding for food provision, which continues to result in regular ration cuts,” the UN Agency said.

One in three South Sudanese refugees has not yet reached the age of majority, UNHCR estimates. Birth registration, family reunification, and school dropout also pose funding challenges. In 2021, only 21% of the needs of these refugees were covered by funding.

In July 2021, the United Nations estimated that there were 1.6 million internally displaced persons in South Sudan.

Jean-Marc Gogbeu, intern