During the meeting, Mr. Akodjenou gave an update on the humanitarian situation in the country, anticipating by the end of the year, South Sudan refugee numbers will hit 3.1 million up from 2.5 million mainly women and children, “if the war does not stop”.

He said 63% o the displaced are below the age of 18, with 85% being women and children.

H.E. Festus Mogae gave an update on the Cessation of Hostilities and the High Level Revitalization Forum process, expressing optimism that it will offer solutions to the effective implementation of the Peace Agreement. He said, the CoHA, if implemented will stop more displacement of refugees and the internal displacement of South Sudanese. 

Mr. Akodjenou said, the refugees are mainly hosted in Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya, with Uganda, hosting the largest of over a million, while calling for enhanced international campaign to increase funding towards South Sudan refugees.

Early this month the UN Refugee Agency launched a funding appeal for US$1.5 billion to support refugees fleeing the “worsening humanitarian situation” in South Sudan and for US$1.7 billion for people in need in the country during 2018.