December 22, 2013 (RUMBEK) – More than 20,000 people displaced from the conflict in South Sudan’s Jonglei state are currently within different locations of neighbouring Lakes state, local authorities and agencies said.
Some of the displaced people heading to the United Nations compound in Juba, December 17, 2013 (Photo: Larco Lomayat)The Yirol West county commissioner said 2,000 internally displaced people fled Jonglei capital, Bor where defected South Sudan army (SPLA) general Peter Gadet launched a rebellion against pro-government forces last week.
“The internally displaced people have been arriving in Yirol West county since Friday, with some traveling by boat and others walking on foot”, said Majak Ruei Angong.
Most of the displaced, the commissioner told Sudan Tribune, lack shelter, food, drinking water and medicine, adding that his county was too incapacitated to handle the current humanitarian situation.
He however said the state government was protecting civilians from further insecurity.
“We are ready to protect them from any harm but we have no capital to provide [food] to them because we have no more food”, said Majak.
Last week, a dispute within South Sudan presidential guards in the capital, Juba sparked off an outbreak of violence with President Salva Kiir accusing his former deputy and other political opponents of attempting to stage a coup against him.
More than 500 people have died and 62,000 displaced since fighting broke out in what was considered the worst outbreak of violence in the country’s post-secession era.
(ST)
– Latest report from the UN OCHA South Sudan in collaboration with humanitarian partners , covering 20 to 21 December 2013:
HighlightsSouth Sudan crisis Situation update as of 21 December 2013 Report number 2-* Increasing numbers of people seek refuge in UN peacekeeping (UNMISS) bases in South Sudan, or move to other places of relative safety in South Sudan as clashes continue in several states.
Registration of the people displaced in the two main UNMISS bases in Juba will begin on 22 December.
Aid agencies are providing healthcare and water and sanitation assistance to displaced people, and are preparing to begin distributions of shelter supplies, household items and basic food assistance on 22 December.
Since 15 December, five of South Sudan’s ten states have been affected by armed violence. Looting of humanitarian compounds has been reported in Jonglei and Unity states. 20,000 displaced people have reportedly arrived in different locations in Awerial County, Lakes State, following violence in Jonglei.
Read all Sudan Tribune‘s coverage of the crisis in South Sudan here:
