WASHINGTON, April 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday authorized $26 million to assist refugees from the conflict in Sudan.
Obama authorized the use of up to $26 million from the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund "to respond to the unexpected and urgent needs resulting from the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states of Sudan," the White House said in a statement.
The emergency funds will support the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to provide "lifesaving protection and assistance to the over 140,000 refugees who have fled the two states," the statement said.
"The United States is gravely concerned by the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, especially as the violent clashes continue along the shared border with South Sudan. We continue to call upon the government of Sudan to allow full and unfettered access for international humanitarian agencies to South Kordofan and Blue Nile to provide emergency assistance to those in need," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
"The United States continues to call upon Sudan and South Sudan to exercise maximum restraint and to reach a negotiated settlement to the outstanding issues between them. In particular, the United States urges Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit to proceed with plans to meet in a summit to sign agreements on nationality and border issues, and to reach an agreement on oil."
