Australia will provide an extra $7.8 million for South Sudan communities confronting the dire humanitarian crisis.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that would take Australian aid to South Sudan to $50 million.

She said Australian money would provide life-saving assistance, with $5 million for food and logistics through the UN World Food Program.

The remaining $2.8 million will go to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for shelter, healthcare, food, water and sanitation for the estimated 270,000 South Sudanese who have fled to neighbouring countries.

“Australia continues to call on all parties to immediately honour their commitments to halt hostilities and to begin an inclusive, peaceful political dialogue,” she said in a statement.

A small number of Australian defence peacekeepers are working with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).