UNICEF South Sudan receives 5 million Euro from Germany

The German Government supports the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with 3 Million Euro for an “Emergency Preparedness and Response Project for Vulnerable Communities at Risk in South Sudan”.

UNICEF South Sudan received additional 2 Million Euro from the German National Committee for UNICEF (NATCOM) in order to support health and education interventions in South Sudan.

“I am happy that the German government and many German private donors provide additional funds to directly support those who are at high risk,” the Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in South Sudan, Peter Benger told journalists at a press conference held at the German Embassy in Juba on March 2.

Benger also said that the parties to South Sudan’s conflict should put “focus” on the implementation of the peace agreement and achieving peace and stability across the country.

“Because of the support we have received from Germany, the lives of some of the country’s most vulnerable children are being saved and their futures transformed,” said Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan.

“Keeping newborns and their mothers healthy and providing more children with the chance to learn are vital investments in the growth and stability of this nation,” Veitch added.

The project funded by the German Government is targeting the three major communicable diseases in the most vulnerable areas of South Sudan which have reported epidemic levels of malaria and are at increased risk of flooding.

The project will particularly focus on prevention (bed nets and intermittent presumptive treatment among pregnant mothers), curative care (case management) and stockpiling of critical supplies (medications and rapid test kits) as well as training of community health workers to undertake prompt treatment of malaria.

The funding of NATCOM is divided up into health and education. The health part will support the integrated maternal, newborn and child health, focusing on an integrated approach with a strong community-based involvement.

On the education side, the project will contribute to activities increasing access to quality learning and livelihood opportunities and promote safety, resilience and social cohesion in South Sudan.

One thousand children, adolescents and youth as well as teachers, will benefit from education services reducing and mitigating stress and trauma caused by the protracted conflict. 

A feud between political rivals turned violent in late December 2013 and caused unprecedented suffering in South Sudan. Aid agencies say over 2 million have been displaced and 3 million others are in need of humanitarian aid.