UN humanitarian chief to visit S. Sudan next week

January 23, 2014 (JUBA) – The United Nations humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos will visit South Sudan from 27-29 January to draw attention to the humanitarian consequences of its current crisis and mobilize further support for vital aid efforts.

During her three-day visit, Amos is expected to meet with representatives of the government and humanitarian partners ?? discuss ways to scale up relief assistance and improve access to communities in need.

“She will underscore the importance of ensuring the protection of civilians, and of aid workers,” the UN said in a statement.

Amos, also the emergency relief coordinator, is expected in the capital, Juba, Jonglei and Lakes states, where hundreds of thousands of families remain displaced.

Over 1,000 people have been killed and more than half a million displaced from their homes, in five weeks of conflict that engulfed the new nation. Also over 100,000 people have fled to neighboring Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan.

More than 250,000 people, aid agencies said, have received life-saving assistance, including an estimated 70,000 people sheltering at UN bases across the country.

(ST)