End suffering, UN envoy tells S. Sudan’s warring parties
February 28, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations deputy humanitarian chief, Kyung-wha Kang on Friday called on all parties to the conflict in South Sudan to protect civilians and grant safe and unhindered humanitarian access by aid agencies in the young nation.
The deputy UN humanitarian chief, during her visit to South Sudan, also met humanitarian partners, the diplomatic community and visited Malakal, where she witnessed the devastating impact of the armed violence that took place on 17 and 18 February in the UN protection of civilians’ site.
“I am outraged by what I have seen in Malakal,” said Kang, citing the killing of civilians who had sought safety at the site in the Upper Nile state capital as well as destruction of medical clinics and schools in the region.
“Those responsible for these heinous acts must be held to account,” she urged.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two displaced since the outbreak of the South Sudan conflict. In recent weeks, however, fighting has spread to new areas, including in Wau and Mundri, amidst continued reports of people allegedly being raped and killed, and of homes and crops being destroyed and damaged by the violence in the area.
According to Kang, civilians in the country continue to face destitution, destruction, death and devastation, and the humanitarian needs continue to grow, in spite of a peace deal South Sudanese leaders signed last year.
She appealed to the international community to act immediately to avert an even greater tragedy in South Sudan, as humanitarian needs are higher now than ever.
Meanwhile, the South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2016 is reportedly only 6.5 per cent funded, including the $21 million of Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocation announced by the Secretary-General in Juba on 25 February, leaving a gap of nearly $1.21 billion.
About $220 million, the UN said, is urgently needed to ensure that vital supplies are procured and delivered during the dry season, before the country becomes unreachable by road.
(ST)