The government has announced €2 million in assistance to refugees from South Sudan.

The announcement was made in Ethiopia by Minister of state for development Seán Sherlock who is visiting Africa with President Michael D. Higgins.

Irish aid agencies GOAL, and CONCERN have been providing shelter, clean water and food to malnourished mothers babies, following a resurgence in violence in recent weeks as the crisis in the country deepens.

President Higgins, who was visiting refugees from South Sudan today, has commended the government for sticking to its aid budget.

Widespread violence have forced cpse t two million people from their homes in South Sudan and almost half a million of those are now refugees in neighbouring countries, including Ehtiopia. President Higgins, and his wife Sabina, are visiting camps in Gambella today. Gambella is home to almost 180,000 South Sudanese who have fled to Ethiopia.

Widespread violence against civilians in South Sudan has forced almost two million people to flee their homes. Almost half a million of these have taken refuge in neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, where President Michael D. Higgins, accompanied by Minister Sherlock, will visit refugee camps in Gambella today. Gambella provides shelter to many of the 180,000 South Sudanese who have fled to Ethiopia as a result of the conflict.

The funding, which will provide food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, education programmes for children and protection to vulnerable people, is being distributed as follows:

This brings to over €8.5 million the funding provided by Ireland to the South Sudanese crisis in 2014.

Minister Charlie Flanagan said:

“With an estimated 3.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, I am gravely concerned at the impact that the violence is having on the civilian population. I am particularly alarmed by the high levels of sexual and gender based violence being perpetrated against women and girls and at the plight of refugees who have fled the country.

“Given the seriousness of the crisis and the urgent needs of innocent civilians, Ireland will provide a further €2 million to our NGO partners in South Sudan and Gambella, Ethiopia.”

Minister Sherlock, who is accompanying President Michael D. Higgins on his visit to refugee camps in Gambella today, said:

“The vast majority of South Sudanese refugees arriving in Ethiopia are women and children. Many are in very poor health having walked for weeks from a number of areas of South Sudan to reach shelter. This additional funding of €2million will ensure that effective aid is delivered in a concentrated manner to where it is most needed here."