The humanitarian community in South Sudan strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State

Thousands of civilians displaced with limited access to life-saving support

(Juba, 7 December 2022) Over 9,100 people have been displaced following the recent surge in violence in Fashoda County, Upper Nile State, the clashes which broke out in mid-November between armed elements have also resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, the abduction of women and children, destruction of properties and livelihoods, with reports of incidences of gender-based violence. “The humanitarian community in South Sudan is appalled by the continuous violence that has a devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary women, men and children – those vulnerable who are already affected by the dire humanitarian situation in the country suffer most,” said Mr. Peter Van der Auweraert, Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim.

Over 2,300 people arrived to the Malakal Protection of Civilians (POC) site since the start of the crisis. This surge of new arrivals puts additional pressure on the already limited capacity of partners to provide services to support them, with limited space for them to stay. As the conflict extended, an estimated 5,000 people displaced to Melut County from Manyo County. According to local responders at least 75 per cent of the newly displaced are women and children, with many children separated from their caregivers. There are also reports of a significant number of people crossing into Sudan, while others are hiding in swamps.

“Humanitarian partners are working tirelessly, around the clock, on multiple frontlines to provide the newly displaced people with critical supplies and services,” said Mr. Van der Auweraert. “People need food, access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, primary healthcare, protection, mental health and psychosocial support,” he added. The ongoing insecurity is hampering the ability of humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving assistance to thousands of people and has forced partners to put much needed assessment missions on hold. In some areas, the violence has resulted in the relocation of humanitarian workers, looting of humanitarian facilities and supplies, and movement restrictions across Fashoda and Manyo counties.

“Hostilities must cease immediately to reduce human suffering and prevent further loss of innocent lives,” stressed Mr. Van der Auweraert. He urged the Government and local authorities to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian partners to all those in need and called upon the parties to the conflict to cease all violence and in all circumstances act in full respect of international humanitarian law.

Note to editors:

Estimated 9.4 million of the most vulnerable people in South Sudan will need urgent life-saving assistance and protection in 2023, compared to 8.9 million in 2022. This year, humanitarian partners targeted 6.8 million with urgent life-saving assistance and protection services. As of 6 December, the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan was funded at 67 per cent. South Sudan continues to be the most violent context for aid workers, followed by Afghanistan and Syria. Since the beginning of 2022, nine humanitarian workers were killed in the line of duty in South Sudan. Across the country, aid workers – mostly national humanitarian workers – are affected by the impact of armed violence, bureaucratic impediments, and targeted violence.

For further information, please contact: Joseph Inganji, Head of Office, inganji@un.org Krasimira Antimova, Public Information Officer, antimova@un.org| OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org/south-sudan or www.reliefweb.int.