Senator Jeff Merkley (D – Oregon), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, visited South Sudan today to learn more about the humanitarian crisis in the country and to see first-hand the work of U.S. partners. During his visit he visited a WFP warehouse, the Gurei Primary Health Care Center, and beneficiaries of USAID programs in Lologo North. He also met with Special Representative of the Secretary General David Shearer and representatives of American NGOs working in South Sudan.
Commenting on his visit, Merkley said, “The work of humanitarians in South Sudan is critical and I am proud that the U.S. is the largest donor to South Sudan. U.S. aid makes a huge difference, helping to keep an estimated 7 million people alive. While a robust international humanitarian response has saved countless lives, the continued failure of South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize their people makes the return of famine likely in multiple parts of the country in the coming months. I’ll be tracking the situation closely and continuing to advocate for robust aid to help mitigate this crisis.”
