Category: APO-OPA

GARMISCH, Germany, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — More than 60 journalists and military public affairs from Africa officers gathered during a week-long Public Affairs and Media Symposium hosted by the U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs Office in Garmisch, Germany, May 12-16, 2014.

The symposium gave participants the chance to connect and learn about each other’s roles and responsibilities. Topics included humanitarian aid, covering conflicts, social media and mobile technologies and how to communicate with military PAOs. This was the second such symposium organized by U.S. AFRICOM for military PAOs and civilian journalists from various countries across Africa.

“The partnership between African nations and the United States is important,” said U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of AFRICOM. “The African continent presents significant opportunities and challenges to African and U.S. interests, including matters of security and stability.

“In the long term, Africa Command will support U.S. Government efforts to deepen relationships with countries that have the greatest potential to bring positive influence to regional security and stability,” he said. “In the near term, we are working with multinational partners and interagency to address immediate challenges of violent extremism and regional instability including threats to both U.S. personnel and facilities.”

“This meeting is very good because it is between soldiers and civilian journalists,” said Col. Arouna Abdoulaye, director of information, public relations and sports for the Nigerien Armed Forces. “In my country, there are so many prejudices about the two institutions, and this kind of non-attribution forum is very good because it helps bring the two together.”

An entrepreneur and social media expert, Teddy Ruge from Uganda, engaged the participants in a lively interactive session about the influence of social media and how to leverage it as part of a strategy to reach intended audiences.

Other presenters included U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Firman from the office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, and Eduardo Cue, an experienced journalist with France 24, led discussions about reporting during crisis events, ethics in journalism and covering military operations.

Guest speakers included Brent Colburn, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Amb. Phillip Carter, AFRICOM Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement (DCME), and Camille Dawson, Director of U.S. State Department’s Africa Media Hub, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Journalists and military public affairs officers represented several African countries and organizations to include Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d‘Ivoire, Gabon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS).

“It is important to synergize various security agencies and the media for our countries and international communities to know, understand and appreciate what we do,” said Nigerian Navy Commodore Kabir Aliyu, Director of Nigerian Navy Office of Public Affairs.

A journalist from Togo, Anoumou Kate-Aziaglo, said he learned more about how the military operates and will be able to work closer with the military. “This is an opportunity for me as a director of the editorial staff of my journal to get closer with the Army (military) to know their problems and understand their issues before I form my public opinion.” Kate-Aziaglo said.

“In today’s hyper-connected world, it is usually very important that we take time to meet each person,” said Colburn, who a top spokesperson at the Pentagon. “The good thing is that some of you are already working together on some of the world’s most difficult problems, and the problems facing your nations. Exchanging contact information, sharing best practices and making use of this forum will really add value to the work that you are already doing and the partnership you’ve already started to build,” he said.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Middle East’s leading satellite service provider, took home the highly coveted SatCom Star Award for “Satellite Operator of the Year” on their first submission for the award. Yahsat had won the “Most Innovative Product/Service for Africa” for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013. Since 2012, Yahsat has provided connectivity to residents in unserved and underserviced areas across 28 countries using the company’s flagship product, YahClick.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/yahsat-1.jpg

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Commenting on the award, Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, said: “Yahsat has seen impressive growth since launching just two years ago, winning back-to-back SatCom awards for most innovative product, and rounding this up with this year’s satellite operator of the year award.

“Our role at Yahsat is to be a responsible company that drives social and economic growth by providing users with access to services that they can genuinely benefit from. The ability to connect to the unconnected parts of the world is the real benefit of our services.”

To date, the YahClick service has been rolled out in 12 countries, namely Angola, South Africa, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, Iraq, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Turkey and UAE with over 30,000 terminals shipped in its first year of operation. YahClick is set to be fully operational in its coverage area throughout the Middle East, Africa, Central and South West Asia by 2014.

“Just this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted a 5.5 percent economic growth for Africa in 2014. This growth, however, can only be achieved if the continent improves infrastructure, create jobs, and funds the agri-business revolution. With YahClick, we are providing unrivalled connectivity in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Angola and Tanzania in their efforts to join the 21st century global economy,” added Mahmood.

The SatCom Star Awards were launched in 2007 to identify and recognise outstanding new contributions to the field of satellite communications in Africa. The awards are designed to celebrate the continued growth and success of the satellite marketplace and focus on the exceptional and innovative performers within the industry.

The awards are judged by an independent board of advisers comprising of industry professionals. Winners are selected according to strict criteria, with award recipients reflecting the strong foundation and potential for the satellite industry in serving and developing the African continent.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat”.

Media contact

• Masa Milhem – masa.milhem@hkstrategies.com

• Tel: +971 (50) 4536710

• Noura Charaf – Ncharaf@Yahsat.ae

• Tel: +971 (0)2 507 6138

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat”

Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae) provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, military, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE and wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company (http://www.mubadala.ae), the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose satellite services:

• YahClick – offers home solutions, business solutions and transportable solutions

• YahService – offers managed solutions and government capacity

• YahLink – offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking capacity and backhauling capacity

Yahsat’s first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011 and the company’s second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has said that Africa is prioritizing infrastructural development to speed up the modernization of the continent. She was speaking in an audience with the visiting Governor-General of New Zealand, Honorable Sir Jeremiah Mateperae on Tuesday, 20 May 2014 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The AU Commission Chairperson and the Governor-General held conversations discussing possible areas of cooperation between the African Union Commission and New Zealand. Areas of mutual interest identified among others included: agriculture and agro-processing, geothermal energy, and human capacity development.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed keen interest in the continent having institutions both physical and e-space, to massively train its young people, noting that training is a key driver to speed up the continent’s skills revolution.

Sir Jeremiah Mateperae noted that his government encourages women to be innovative and to train in science and technology, adding that “engaging women has the greatest multiplier effect.”

New Zealand expressed interest to produce the second edition of the AU Handbook in English and French. The first edition of the handbook, modeled after the United Nations handbook, was produced and launched in 2013.

The AUC Chairperson and the New Zealand Governor-General also agreed on the importance of promoting people-people opportunities in the areas of sports and culture.

New Zealand is opening its new embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia thereby strengthening its relationship with Africa.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Operational conclusions

1. The 5th meeting of the Heads of Intelligence and Security Services (HISS) of the countries of the Sahelo-Saharan region took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 19 and 20 May 2014. The following countries participated in the meeting: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. In addition to the Commission of the African Union (AU), the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL), the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), the Committee of the Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), the Fusion and Liaison Unit (UFL), the Community of the Sahelo-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), the North African Regional Capability (NARC), as well as the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), also participated in the meeting.

2. The meeting was held within the framework of the Nouakchott Process on the Enhancement of Security Cooperation and the Operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) in the Sahelo-Saharan Region. It was a follow-up to the previous meetings of the HISS of the countries of the region, held respectively in Bamako, on 18 April 2013, in Abidjan, on 20 and 21 June 2013, in N’Djamena, on 10 September 2013, and in Niamey, on 17 and 18 February 2014.

3. The opening ceremony was marked by the statements made by General Gilbert Diendéré, Chief of Staff in the Office of the President of the Faso, Ambassador Smaïl Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, and the Minister of Territorial Administration and Security of Burkina Faso, Dr. Jerome Bougouma.

I. Review of the evolution of the security situation in the Sahelo-Saharan region

4. The meeting reviewed the evolution of the security situation in the region, based on the overall presentation made by the AU High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, former President Pierre Buyoya, as well as the contributions made by the ACSRT, CISSA, UFL and the countries of the region.

5. In this regard, Participants noted the worrying developments that had taken place since their last meeting. In particular, they highlighted, with deep concern, the continuing attempts to regroup by the terrorist entities in northern Mali, the multiplication of their attacks, including the use of improvised explosive devices against the Malian army, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the forces of the Serval Operation, as well as the serious incidents that took place in Kidal following the visit of the Malian Prime Minister to this part of the national territory. They stressed the humanitarian consequences arising from the prevailing insecurity. Participants also expressed their deep concern about the intensification of the campaign of terror waged by the Boko Haram group, as illustrated by the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in the North East of the country. Participants reiterated the concern of the region in the face of the development of the situation in Libya, marked by a new escalation of violence and the weakening of the authority of the State, with the risk of offering sanctuary for terrorist groups in some parts of the country. Finally, Participants pointed out the numerous instances of drug seizure made over the past few months, which are evidence of the extent of illegal drug trafficking in the region, and the growing links between terrorism and transnational organized crime.

6. Participants noted the persistent threat of religious radicalization, which provides fertile ground for the recruitment of terrorists and criminal elements. They stressed the need, building on the relevant regional experiences, for more vigorous action to deal with that phenomenon, including the surveillance and monitoring of the activities of foreign preachers, who operate in isolated communities and regions and propagate intolerant interpretation of the religion.

7. Participants welcomed the increased mobilization of the countries of the region against the scourge of terrorism and transnational organized crime, as evidenced by the first meeting of the Heads of the Intelligence Services of the Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held in Accra, Ghana, on 14 May 2014. They were informed about the conclusions of that meeting by the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President of the Faso. They stressed the need for close coordination between all ongoing initiatives.

8. Regarding more specifically the efforts being made with respect to dialogue in Mali, Participants welcomed the momentum generated by the preliminary consultations undertaken by Algeria to create the necessary conditions towards the success of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue, as agreed to by Mali and its neighbors during their consultative meeting held in Algiers, on 22 April 2014.

II. Status of the implementation of the Operational Conclusions of Niamey

9. Participants reviewed the status of implementation of the operational conclusions of the Niamey meeting. They reiterated the need for more sustained efforts to ensure prompt exchange of information and intelligence among the Services, as agreed in Niamey.

10. Participants welcomed the progress made regarding capacity building during the period under consideration, particularly:

(i) the continuation of the capacity building activities carried out by the ACSRT and the UFL, especially the Workshop on strengthening border related counter-terrorism capacities in the Sahel through international databases and enhanced cooperation, coordination and information exchanges, held in Algiers, from 3 to 5 March 2014; and

(ii) the launch, by the ACSRT, in cooperation with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), of national courses on the implementation of the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

11. Participants were briefed by the UFL on the ongoing arrangements to extend its secure communication system to the three Member States of the Nouakchott Process which are not members of the UFL, as well as to the MISAHEL and CISSA. They commended the UFL for its efforts and took note of the commitment to help CISSA overcome the difficulties faced in the establishment of its own secure communication system. These efforts should be completed before the convening of the 6th meeting of the HISS.

12. Participants welcomed the initiation by MISAHEL of periodic consultations among the Defence Attachés of the countries participating in the Nouakchott Process accredited to Mali. They stressed that these consultations contribute significantly to greater ownership of the Process by the countries of the region.

13. Participants also noted with satisfaction the follow up of the provisions of the Conclusions of the Niamey meeting on support to Libya, with the holding in Niamey, on 1 March 2014, of a meeting bringing together Libya and its neighbors, organized by the AU with the support of CEN-SAD, as well as the informal ministerial level consultation held in Rome on 5 March 2014, in preparation for the meeting of the Friends of Libya, held in Rome, on 6 March 2014. Participants fully supported those efforts and stressed the need for their continuation.

14. Participants were informed of the progress made in the efforts concerning the elaboration of an African Arrest warrant, particularly the consultations held by ACSRT with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust). They urged for the pursuit of these efforts to facilitate the finalization as early as possible of the elaboration process of the African Arrest Warrant.

15. Participants discussed the contribution of CISSA to the work of the relevant Services in the Sahelo-Saharan region. They stressed the need and urgency for strengthening that contribution. They agreed to re-discuss this issue at their next meeting, bearing in mind that the CISSA has now been integrated into the AU Commission.

16. With regard to the operationalization of the APSA, Participants were informed about the ongoing efforts to convene the envisaged meeting of the Chiefs of Defense Staff and Ministers of Defense of the countries of the region to consider the generic Concepts of Operation prepared by the Commission in order to facilitate the efficient conduct of, and resort as frequently as possible to, coordinated / joint patrols at the borders and the establishment of mixed units, as well as modalities for strengthening other existing cooperation security structures in the region. Similarly, Participants were informed about the steps taken by the Commission for the convening of a Summit of the countries participating in the Nouakchott Process.

III. On the next steps of the Nouakchott Process

17. Aware of the need for continued enhancement of the security cooperation among the countries of the region, Participants agreed on the following:

(i) the adoption of specific measures to enhance the exchange of information and intelligence, including by agreeing on the format of the presentations made at the regular meetings of the HISS and by exchanging intelligence briefs on specific events requiring urgent coordinated action. The AU Commission would transmit to the member countries of the Nouakchott Process a format for this purpose;

(ii) the rationalization and coordination of capacity building activities, as well as their continuous adaptation to the evolving specific needs of the countries of the region and the nature of the threats facing them. The ACSRT, CISSA and UFL were requested to submit a report on the matter within one month, which would be considered at the 6th meeting of the HISS;

(iii) the finalization of the extension of the UFL secure communication system to the member countries concerned of the Nouakchott Process and to MISAHEL, it being understood that the UFL should submit a report thereon at the 6th meeting of the HISS; and

(iv) the presentation of forward looking approaches on the different situations in the Sahelo-Saharan region by the participants.

18. Regarding the specific issue of Boko Haram, Participants expressed their strong condemnation of the terrorist acts perpetrated by this group, as well as their full support to the efforts of the Nigerian Government to address the situation, and welcomed the measures already taken by Nigeria and the neighboring countries to better coordinate their actions. They expressed their full solidarity with the families of the kidnapped school girls and expressed the hope that all the efforts being made to secure their release would succeed soon. They noted the grave humanitarian consequences caused by the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram group and called for the mobilization of adequate humanitarian assistance for the affected populations.

19. Participants expressed their conviction that the relevant continental and regional instruments, notably the AU Strategy for the Sahel, as well as the 1999 OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its 2004 Protocol, offer an appropriate framework to efficiently combat the Boko Haram group and bring to an end its terrorist activities. In this respect, they stressed the need for renewed efforts towards the implementation of these instruments.

20. In a more operational manner, and in order to strengthen the ongoing efforts, Participants agreed as follows:

(i) the dispatch, under the AU’s auspices, of a team of experts comprising the representatives of the Intelligence and Security Services of the countries concerned by the Boko Haram threat, ACSRT, CISSA and the UFL, to exchange intelligence and experiences with the relevant Nigerian officials and make recommendations on the possible contribution of the other Sahelo-Saharan countries to the strengthening of the fight against Boko Haram, including within the framework of the current initiatives of the countries of the Lake Chad Basin, for which financial support should be mobilized. This mission should take place in the next two weeks;

(ii) the establishment in Abuja, in close coordination with the Nigerian Government, of an ad hoc coordination cell, comprising the relevant representatives of the member countries of the Nouakchott Process and other countries affected by the activities of Boko Haram, in order to facilitate real time exchange of information and intelligence. The AU Commission is tasked to assist in the follow-up of the implementation of this measure;

(iii) the launching, by the AU, within the framework of its Strategy for the Sahel, of a campaign to combat radicalization and promote de-radicalization, which will involve religious leaders, civil society, media and other stakeholders, as part of the efforts directed against the intolerance and barbaric acts of the Boko Haram group;

(iv) the convening by the AU of a regional meeting on the implementation of the relevant AU instruments, such as the Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its Protocol, in order to more effectively use the cooperative arrangements contained therein in the fight against Boko Haram and other similar entities;

(v) the submission to the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) of a recommendation aimed at formally declaring the Boko Haram group and the organizations associated with it as terrorist groups and obtaining their designation as such by the UN Security Council; and

(vi) the launching by the AU Commission of a study on the urgent establishment of a Regional Task Force, building on the experience of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army (RCI-LRA), to facilitate effective regional action against Boko Haram, and submission of appropriate recommendations to the PSC.

21. Regarding the operationalisation of the APSA in the Sahelo-Saharan region, Participants looked forward to the convening in Bamako, as soon as possible, of the proposed meeting of the Chiefs of Defense Staff and the Ministers of Defense. They requested the countries of the Nouakchott Process to include in their delegations experts from both internal and external security services. They stressed that these meetings should enable the countries of the region, particularly within the framework of UN peacekeeping operations, to contribute collectively to specific arrangements put in place to combat terrorism.

IV. Next meeting of the HISS

22. Participants welcomed the offer made by Senegal to host the 6th meeting of the Heads of Intelligence and Security Services, at a date to be fixed after consultation between the Commission and the relevant Senegalese authorities.

23. Participants expressed their gratitude to the Government and people of Burkina Faso for the warm welcome extended to them and for the excellent arrangements made to ensure the smooth conduct of their meeting. They particularly expressed their deep gratitude to the President of the Faso, H.E. Blaise Compaoré, to whom they paid a courtesy visit during which they exchanged views with him on the situation in the region and the efforts to address the current threats.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, met a delegation from south west Somalia led by Madobe Nunow, and urged all parties in Baidoa to reach an inclusive agreement under the leadership of the Federal Government.

Tensions in Baidoa remain as the leaders of rival political groups, Madobe Nunow and Mohamad Abdi Noor ‘Madeer’, pursue competing initiatives for either a six region or three region federal state in south west Somalia.

“My meeting today was in support of the negotiations led by the Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. I welcome the readiness of all parties to engage in talks without pre-conditions to find a peaceful solution and I am pleased at the progress being made. I urge all parties to reach an inclusive political settlement that will open the way to the formation of an interim regional administration in south west Somalia, recognised by the Federal Government and supported by international partners. Under the leadership of the Federal Government all parties need to reach an agreement that respects the Provisional Federal Constitution and existing agreements. Ensuring inclusive governments in all interim administrations is also vital. This applies for the Juba Interim Administration (JIA) and for the future south west Interim Administration which, I hope, will soon take its place alongside the JIA.

“An early settlement and formation of an Interim Administration will enable international partners to engage fully with the region through the New Deal Somalia Compact. It will also clear the way for improved security and a more effective campaign against Al Shabaab. The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Federal Government’s peace-building and state-building efforts. I am ready to meet all sides in the search for lasting peace and prosperity for Somalis. Time is of the essence and I hope no one will stand in the way of progress,” Mr Kay said.

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media Note
Washington, DC
May 20, 2014

The United States today announced nearly $300 million in humanitarian assistance to help the people of South Sudan who have been placed at risk by t…

LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FCO Minister Mark Simmonds condemns fighting in Mali, calls for peace talks to begin immediately and urges the release of all hostages.

FCO Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, said;

“I strongly condemn the attacks that took place in Kidal on Saturday that led to numerous fatalities, including civilians, and the taking of hostages. These deplorable acts threaten the fragile peace in Mali and undermine efforts towards reconciliation, stability and development to a country deeply scarred by conflict. I urge hostage-takers to immediately release all hostages unhurt.

“I call on all parties to show restraint and renew efforts to negotiate a sustainable, inclusive peace agreement. The UK will continue to work with its international partners to help bring an end to this crisis and support Mali’s long-term development.”

TOKYO, Japan, May 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On May 20, the Government of Japan decided to extend Emergency Grand Aid of 12 million US dollars (approximately 1,164 million Japanese yen), through World Food Program (WFP), United Nati…

OSLO, Norway, May 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The international humanitarian pledging conference for South Sudan has resulted in a doubling of the funds pledged by the international community for humanitarian efforts, from USD 600 million to over USD 1.2 billion. ‘I am delighted that Norway, by hosting this pledging conference, has helped to bring about a doubling of the funding for humanitarian efforts in South Sudan,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

A full-scale humanitarian crisis has hit over five million people after armed conflict broke out in South Sudan last December. The UN and humanitarian organisations in the country has requested USD 1.8 billion for humanitarian efforts. Prior to the pledging conference, the UN had received around USD 600 billion. At the pledging conference in Oslo today, which gathered representatives from over 50 countries, the UN and aid organisations, an additional USD 600 million was pledged.

‘By this conference, we have got the world’s attention to a full-blown catastrophe in the making. The people of South Sudan will need humanitarian support for a long time to come. Today, we have taken a significant step towards saving more lives and averting famine. These funds will provide life-saving assistance for children and adults who are in a desperate situation. The funds will be channelled through humanitarian organisations on the ground in South Sudan that are providing food, water, healthcare, shelter, protection, and emergency education for children,’ said Mr Brende.

Mr Brende underlined that in order to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, it is critical that the parties to the conflict cease hostilities and grant humanitarian access to all civilians in acute need. The 1.3 million people who have had to flee their homes must be given the opportunity to return safely and rebuild their lives.

At the conference, Norway provided USD 63 million to the humanitarian response in South Sudan, in addition to the USD 17 million provided earlier this year. The Norwegian funds will be channelled through humanitarian actors, including UN agencies, NGOs and the International Committee of the Red Cross in South Sudan. In addition, some of the funds will be allocated to relief efforts in South Sudan’s neighbouring countries, which are experiencing a massive influx of refugees. Those who pledged the most at the conference included the US, the UK and the EU. The pledging conference was organised by Norway in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

OSLO, Norway, May 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The international donor community today raised more than US$600 million in pledges to scale up humanitarian response to the South Sudan crisis at a conference hosted by Norway in collaboration with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

“These generous pledges will, once paid, translate into life-saving relief to the most vulnerable people in South Sudan and to those who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. The UN and our humanitarian partners must now do our part and deliver,” said Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, who co-chaired the conference with Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende.

“We expect the parties to the conflict to honour their agreement signed 9 May. The fighting must stop so that people can plant and tend to their livestock. Humanitarian access must be guaranteed so aid organizations can reach more people in need,” said Mr. Brende.

Violence and fear have forced over 1.3 million people from their homes since fighting began in South Sudan in mid-December 2013. This includes more than 325,000 who have sought refuge in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. One-third of South Sudanese people are severely food insecure as a result of conflict, displacement, destroyed markets and disrupted livelihoods.

UN emergency experts point to a small window of opportunity to prevent the crisis from deteriorating into a catastrophe – but increased humanitarian access and assistance is critical.

Despite the complexity of the situation on the ground including high levels of insecurity, humanitarian workers have so far reached 1.3 million people with life-saving assistance since the conflict erupted. But much more needs to be done.

UN and humanitarian partners need a total of $1.8 billion to implement their response plan for 2014. The regional refugee plan requires $371 million. Pledges made today go a substantial way to funding these appeals.