Over 70,000 displaced camp in Unity state Payinjiar county

September 15, 2015 (KAMPALA) – At least 78,000 people displaced in Koch, Leer and Mayiandit counties have arrived in Payinjiar county of Unity state as a result of continued fighting, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

According to the agency, insecurity and lack of access to vital supplies to South Sudanese was making it hard for humanitarian actors to deliver the necessary assistance to the most affected groups of displaced persons in parts of the country.

Fighting resumed last month despite a signed peace accord between South Sudan government and the armed opposition forces led by the country’s former vice president, Riek Machar.

“Over the past month, insecurity and lack of access to vital supplies have continued to force South Sudanese to flee in search of safety, assistance and protection,” said OCHA.

In August, the report says, there was increased displacement of people due to fighting in and around Koch, Leer and Mayiandit counties in Unity state and Wau Shilluk in Upper Nile.

As offensives continue between forces loyal to both factions in the south of Unity state, 18,000 people reportedly reached Nyal payam in Payinjiar in search for food and safety last week.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has been housing nearly 200,000 displaced people, majority of whom came from the conflict-affected Unity and Upper Nile states.

Most South Sudanese are less optimistic about possibilities of last month’s peace deal between government and rebels loyal to the nation’s former vice president to end war.

Ten of thousands of people have been killed after a political debate for reforms within the ruling Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) turned violent in mid December 2013.

(ST)