US steps up support to South Sudan with $273m

The Obama Administration Monday pledged additional USD 273 million in aid to South Sudan, in a move that "underscores the United States' long-standing commitment - one predating the current, senseless conflict - to the people" of that country.
The total US contribution now comes to nearly USD one billion, a press release from the Department of State noted.
"More than two million people have been displaced internally and as refugees. Nearly 2.5 million people face acute hunger in South Sudan right now," the statement affirmed.
"The new funding will help to feed the most affected people and provide specialty nutrition supplements for children suffering from malnutrition.
"It will provide seeds, tools, and agricultural training to South Sudanese farmers, boost emergency health services for victims of the conflict, increase the availability of water and sanitation services, support medical and psychosocial services to survivors of gender-based violence, increase access to emergency education for refugee children, build and expand new refugee camps, and provide basic household goods for refugees throughout the region," it said.
The US also urged the international community to step up its assistance to South Sudan, but stressed that "humanitarian aid alone is not the answer to the conflict.
"The warring parties bear full responsibility for this man-made crisis and the suffering of their fellow South Sudanese," the statement said. "South Sudan's leaders can end this suffering by concentrating on the security and welfare of their people and making the needed compromises to reach a final agreement when peace talks resume on February 20." Monday's aid announcement was made by US Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration, Anne Richard, in Nairobi, Kenya.