U.S. to pledge $300 million in aid for South Sudan

The U.S. will give nearly $300 million in humanitarian aid to South Sudan, White House officials said Monday.

The money, including $50 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund, will be formally pledged Tuesday at a conference in Oslo, Norway.

“Months of conflict between the government of South Sudan and rebel forces have exacted a terrible toll on the people of South Sudan. More than 1.3 million people have been displaced, and the country is now at risk of famine unless humanitarian agencies are able to scale up relief efforts and access those in need,” said Caitlin Hayden, spokeswoman for the National Security Council. “Even as we continue our intensive effort to end the violence, we are working to meet the humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese people.”

South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation, having just been formed in 2011. Over the past six months, the country has been rocked by violence as fighting continues between government troops and forces loyal to rebel leader Riek Machar.

After the new round of assistance is delivered, the U.S. will have given $430 million in humanitarian aid to South Sudan, according to the White House.