UN humanitarian chief calls for an end to violence in S. Sudan’s Jonglei
July 17, 2013 (JUBA) – The United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Valerie Amos, has said she is alarmed by the worsening situation of civilians in the troubled South Sudanese state of Jonglei, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Amos said that continued clashes in Jonglei state’s Pibor county, where rebels loyal to David Yau Yau are fighting against the South Sudanese army (SPLA) has prevented civilians from accessing much needed humanitarian assistance.
“The fighting is threatening the lives of ordinary people and has reduced the ability of humanitarian organisations to provide urgently needed help”, she said.
The UN humanitarian chief warned that further fighting in Pibor will severely affect civilians as delivery of aid in the area will be limited. She urged all sides in the conflict to end the violence and respect their obligation to protect civilians under international law.
“I call on all parties to stop the violence immediately, to prevent further unnecessary loss of life, and to create the necessary security environment conducive for aid delivery”, she said.
Meanwhile, aid agencies have been able to access parts of Pibor to assess the needs of communities affected by violence, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
“On 14 July, humanitarian organisations reached people in the area around the Kengen river in Pibor county, Jonglei State for the first time since the current wave of hostilities broke out in March”, said OCHA in its the weekly humanitarian update on Wednesday.
The report said that after long negotiations to secure access, an assessment team travelled to Dorein village, south of the Fertait area.
“The team was met on arrival by some 1,000 people, and estimated that the total number of people in Dorein and adjoining villages needing assistance is between 10,000 and 15, 000”, the OCHA report said.
Jonglei state has increasingly been in the limelight over cattle raids, tribal retaliatory attacks between the Lou Nuer and Murle, as well as clashes between the SPLA and rebels led by David Yau Yau.
The effect of the violence has displaced several communities, many of which remain inaccessible to humanitarian organisations.
Amos vowed that despite the difficulties the UN will work towards ensuring that people receive humanitarian assistance. She further called on the international community to support aid agencies to reach those affected by the fighting.
“I ask the international community to ensure that we have the necessary logistical resources, including air assets, to reach all those in need in Pibor county”, she said.
Although access in some parts of Pibor has improved, there are reports of escalating inter-communal violence raising the possibilities of more deaths, injuries and displacement.
(ST)