By Martin Banks - 1st February 2012
That is why we desperately need the support of the EU
Yasmin Ali Haque
A senior Unicef representative in South Sudan has appealed to the EU to "step up" its aid to the war-ravaged country.
During a visit to Brussels, Yasmin Ali Haque pressed the EU to provide more financial and "technical" support.
She pointed out that several border disputes with Sudan continue to strain ties.
The main row is over border region of Abyei, where a referendum for the residents to decide whether to join south or north has been delayed over voter eligibility.
She said, "Along with a recent upsurge in the conflict there is an ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. That is why we desperately need the support of the EU.
"The support needs to be more focused on the long-term needs."
Ali Haque was in Brussels on Tuesday for a series of meetings with commission officials.
His comments come as the EU prepares to establish its first ever delegation, or mission, in South Sudan.
She said the delegation's eventual "presence on the ground" will have a "huge" impact in helping to tackle the country's problems.
Her visit comes after EU member states recently agreed to support airport security at the Juba international airport in South Sudan.
The aim would be to raise security standards at the Juba airport to internationally accepted standards.
According to Ali Haque this would allow unimpaired international air traffic and prevent the airport from becoming a target for terrorism.
The EU delegation, she said, would contribute to training of security services, provide advice and assistance on airport security as well as support the coordination of security activities.
The delegation is part of the EU's comprehensive approach to helping south Sudan become a viable and prosperous state, said Ali Haque.
The airport is, she said, seen as an important lifeline for the capital of the landlocked country and a hub for economic development of the world's youngest nation.
The mission would last initially for one year and could start this summer.
Meanwhile, Unicef has appealed for €1bn to fund its humanitarian operations in 2012, assisting children in more than 25 countries globally.
The list of countries includes many long standing or so-called "silent" emergencies, but the crisis in Somalia and in other countries in the Horn of Africa accounts for nearly one-third of the total amount.
"While much of the world's attention focuses on the humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa, we must not forget those in the many long-standing emergencies around the globe, the silent emergencies," said Rima Salah, Unicef deputy executive director, at the launch of Unicef's 2012 humanitarian action for children report in Geneva.
