Additional assistance for South Sudan

The Australian Government will provide a further $5 million in humanitarian assistance to South Sudan bringing Australia's contribution to the crisis to over $18 million since conflict began.

The funding will go to the United Nation's South Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund to support provision of emergency food, water, sanitation, shelter and medical assistance, and support for the protection of civilians.

In addition to emergency funding, Australia provided RAAF airlift support, used to transport critical humanitarian supplies into South Sudan, in addition to the ADF contingent that has been deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) since its inception.

Violence has forced over one million people from their homes and millions are facing emergency levels of food insecurity as a result of ongoing internal conflict.

On 12 August, Australia joined other members of the UN Security Council in a visit to South Sudan to stress the need for immediate progress towards peace and reconciliation.

The Security Council urged President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar to immediately honour their commitments to halt hostilities and begin reconciliation through an inclusive transitional government.

The Security Council also conducted meetings with UNMISS and with NGO and humanitarian workers, expressing strong support for the vital work being carried out to protect civilians and respond to humanitarian needs.

The Australian Government continues to strongly advise Australians not to travel to South Sudan, including Juba, because of ongoing military conflict. We continue to urge Australians in South Sudan to leave as the ongoing availability of commercial options cannot be guaranteed.