Susan in an interview with Eye Radio - US Embassy Juba on Monday 8, 2013

The US Government says it will provide 700 million dollars for service delivery in South Sudan during this fiscal year.

In an exclusive interview with Eye Radio, the US Ambassador to South Sudan, Dr. Susan Page, said covering health is important because South Sudan still has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world.

“And in terms of other basic services, I mean food is always a basic service, we are providing priority assistance in health, education, water and sanitation,” she added.

Dr. Susan Page said her government s’ support will assist the people of South Sudan to make good use of their fertile land.

“Some of the key areas that we provide support is to the green belt areas of the Equatoria region.

“This is the most fertile land in the whole of country and there is no reason why this country cannot be really a bread basket for much of not only the country, but for the African continent.”

The agricultural aid will support farming yields and investment.

Dr. Page also said the United States Agency for International Development has supported 1.3 million South Sudanese to access health services.

These included life-saving anti-malarial prophylaxis and life-saving intervention to prevent post-partum bleeding for women.

The US is the largest bilateral donor to South Sudan.