Security Council Press Statement on Humanitarian Situation in South Sudan

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Eugène-Richard Gasana ( Rwanda):

The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern about the catastrophic food insecurity situation in South Sudan that is now the worst in the world.  They further expressed deep alarm that the crisis in South Sudan may soon reach the threshold of famine as a result of continued conflict, civilian targeting and displacement.

The members of the Security Council urged all United Nations Member States, who together pledged more than $618 million in new funding for both South Sudan and the region in May at the Humanitarian Pledging Conference in Oslo, to swiftly fulfil those pledges and to increase their commitments.  They stressed that these funds are critically needed now to provide life-saving assistance in view of the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

The members of the Security Council called upon on all parties to respect and protect civilian populations; to refrain from any acts of violence directed against civilians, in particular women and children; to expedite safe and unhindered humanitarian access for the timely and full delivery of humanitarian aid to all civilians in urgent need of assistance in accordance with relevant provisions of international law, including international humanitarian law, and with the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance; and to fully respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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For information media • not an official record