South Sudan referendum threatened by insecurity, food crisis: UN

June 4, 2010 (JUBA) — The worsening humanitarian situation in the form of constant inter-tribal conflicts and rising food insecurity in South Sudan threatens prospects for a successful referendum, Lise Grande, the UN Deputy Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has said.

Former rebels the Southern People’s Liberation Movement signed a peace deal with the Khartoum government in 2005 to end Africa’s longest-running civil war which cost the lives of two million people and displaced twice as many.

The peace deal provided for a 2011 referendum on independence in the south. It is widely expected that Southerners will choose independence after more than two decades of bitter civil war with the North.

In an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune, Grande decried the escalating levels of violence resulting from inter-tribal conflicts, notably in Jonglei and Warrap States.

An estimated 700 people have reportedly died and nearly 90,000 were displaced as a result of these conflicts, while nearly 3.3 million people are believed to be moderately food insecure.

The Deputy Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, however, lauded the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) for its tremendous contribution towards addressing some of these humanitarian challenges.

“The strategic leadership provided by the Government of Southern Sudan was essential in coordinating our humanitarian responses toward identified priority areas,” she said.

This year alone, Southern Sudan requires about $530 million to address humanitarian issues. Out of this, only 26 per cent has reportedly been received, with a $35 million contribution already got from the Government of Southern Sudan treasury.

Grande further acknowledged the role being played by World Food Programme (WFP) in humanitarian assistance across the semi-autonomous region. Already, WFP has reportedly supplied over 50,000 metric tons of food across South Sudan.

“This is a remarkable achievement from WFP [World Food Programme] considering the fact that its supply more than doubled from last year’s figure of 18,000 metric tons,” Ms Grande said.

Her remarks come just days after John Holmes, the UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator concluded a four-day tour of Sudan.

During his visit, Mr. Holmes expressed concern over the worrying humanitarian situation against the background of existing variables like poverty, underdevelopment or indicators in basic areas like child mortality.

In his report made public today, Holmes warned that the food crisis in southern Sudan could turn catastrophic unless the humanitarian community steps up contributions to enable agencies to boost their relief efforts in the region.

“We face a deteriorating humanitarian situation [in southern Sudan] this year – widespread food insecurity with 40 per cent of the population either severely or moderately food insecure,” he said.

He noted that only 26 per cent of the $530 million requested by humanitarian agencies for southern Sudan has been funded.

(ST)