The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Volodymyr Yelchenko (Ukraine):

Aid organizations are appealing for $1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection to 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017.  Humanitarian Coordinator for the strife-torn country, Eugene Owusu, said that the situation has deteriorated dramatically and this year there will be unprecedented needs.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres: