Raad wijst EUR 200 miljoen toe aan Zuid-Soedan (en)

The Council today allocated EUR 200 million to development cooperation with Southern Sudan (9953/11).

South Sudan is expected to declare its independence on 9 July 2011. As an independent state, it will face numerous humanitarian and socio-economic challenges in a context of reduced state capacity. External aid will be crucial to assist South Sudan in fighting extreme poverty, empowering local communities and delivering basic social services to the population.

In July 2010, the Council already allocated EUR 150 million for the purpose of addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Sudan, out of which EUR 85 million have been earmarked for Southern Sudan.

The funds allocated to Southern Sudan today, come from decommitted funds from the ninth and previous European Development Funds.