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Britain pledges $100 mln for South Sudan humanitarian aid

by Reuters
Monday, 19 May 2014 23:01 GMT

Internally displaced children sit on and around water tanks at Tomping camp in Juba, South Sudan, January 10, 2014. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

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There are expectations that the conflict in the world's youngest nation will worsen in the months ahead

* World's youngest nation torn by conflict since December

* Britain a major Western sponsor of South Sudan

* Norway hosting donor conference on May 19-20

By Gwladys Fouche

OSLO, May 20 (Reuters) - Britain is pledging 60 million pounds ($100.97 million) to help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, the British government said on Tuesday, amid expectations conflict in the world's youngest nation will worsen in the months ahead.

Britain is one of South Sudan's main Western sponsors, with Norway and the United States. Norway pledged $63 million in aid to South Sudan on Monday, and is hosting an international conference to raise more money on May 19-20 in Oslo.

The new funding brings London's support for South Sudan since the start of the crisis in December 2013 to around 93 million pounds. Britain said its money would be distributed via agencies in South Sudan, including the World Food Programme and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011. Fighting among various factions there has curbed oil production, vital for its economy.

($1 = 0.5943 British Pounds)

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche; Editing by Larry King)

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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