Humanitarian Pledging Conference for South Sudan in Oslo on 20 May

Norway is to host a pledging conference for South Sudan in Oslo on Tuesday 20 May. The conference is being organised in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The gravity of the situation in South Sudan, and the impact on neighbouring countries, calls for immediate action. There is an acute need for USD 800 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians in South Sudan. So far, only 39 % of the USD 1.3 billion UN pledge has been forthcoming. The conference aims to increase humanitarian funding and to agree on what more can be done to improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

According to UN estimates, 4.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and 1.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes. There are reports of killings and gross violations of human rights. Since the conflict broke out in December last year, food production has declined dramatically, and around one million people could face famine if the international aid effort is not stepped up.

The conference will be co-chaired by Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos.

Only accredited members of the press will be able to attend. Accreditation in advance is required.

• More information and registration.
  

Place: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Holbergsgate 30, Oslo
Time: Tuesday 20 May, from 10am to 13:30pm

Press contacts:
Communications Adviser Ms Astrid Sehl, mobile phone: +47 922 84 752
Communications Adviser Mr Eskil Grendahl Sivertsen, mobile phone: +47 926 89 277