(JUBA) – The United Kingdom has announced a new funding package of £103 million, equivalent to approximately USD139 million, to support humanitarian, health, and education needs in South Sudan. The assistance will be delivered through the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) during the 2025 financial year.
British Ambassador to South Sudan, David Ashley, confirmed the allocation, stating that the support will help the South Sudanese population respond to urgent challenges including conflict, climate impacts, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The funding will also assist in improving access to healthcare and education across the country.
This bilateral aid package is in addition to the UK’s continued contributions to South Sudan through major international platforms such as the World Bank, Global Partnership for Education and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. These multilateral efforts aim to strengthen systemic responses in health and education across developing countries.
The latest announcement brings the total UK bilateral assistance to South Sudan since independence in 2011 to over £2 billion, or roughly USD2.7 billion. According to the UK government, this long standing support has already enabled hundreds of thousands of vulnerable South Sudanese to access basic services such as food, medical care, and schooling.
Ambassador Ashley stressed that while humanitarian aid remains essential in the short term, it is not a sustainable solution. He said the UK’s support is intended to complement, not substitute, the responsibilities of the South Sudanese government.
He added that “international aid budgets are under immense strain worldwide” and urged South Sudanese authorities to manage their own national resources more effectively to meet public needs.
According to the Ambassador, achieving sustainable development will also require greater peace and improved governance, areas in which external partners like the UK can assist, but ultimately depend on local political will.
Below is a summary of the key figures associated with the UK’s current commitment:
| Item | Amount (GBP) | Amount (USD) | Amount (SSP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Bilateral Aid | £103 million | USD139 million | SSP 638.4 billion |
| Total Bilateral Aid Since 2011 | £2 billion | USD2.7 billion | SSP 12.42 trillion |
With this renewed commitment, the UK government maintains its position as one of South Sudan’s largest international donors.
This announcement comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face widespread humanitarian need, with over 9 million people estimated to require assistance in 2025, driven by displacement, food insecurity and climate related shocks.
UK officials have indicated that the success of the aid programme will depend heavily on the country’s political environment and the ability of local institutions to implement reforms and maintain stability.
The funding is expected to be deployed through a range of UK partners, including NGOs and UN agencies, operating across all ten states and administrative areas of South Sudan.
