UN: South Sudan continues to face critical humanitarian challenges
20 August, 2011
Khartoum, Sudan ( sudanow.info.sd)-Armed men have attacked seven villages in Jonglei State , South Sudan, leaving an unspecified number of death, in an already volatile situation in the newborn African State.
the UN-run, Radio Miraya, based in the south has quoted the county commissioner Tut Fuk Nyang attributes the violence to a revenge attack by a group from the Murle tribe against another tribe, Nuer, over cattle possession.
It quoted the spokesperson of the UN Mission in South Sudan Aleem Siddique as saying that a United Nations assessment team has been sent to Pierry, one of the affected villages, to assess the situation there. According to the Radio in the last few months there were several clashes between armed groups from both tribes.
Tribal clashes, food security and relocation from the north has produced more than 275,000 persons have been newly displaced by conflict this year, including over 110,000 from Abyei. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in South Sudan, said on the occasion of the world Humanitarian Day.
In addition, more than 330,000 people have returned from Sudan to South Sudan and thousands of other civilians are vulnerable to inter-communal violence and persistent rebel militia activity.
The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Ms. Lise Grande, Speaking from Renk in Upper Nile State during a high-level delegation to assess the impact of a recent surge of returnees highlighted the pressing humanitarian priorities facing the world’s newest nation, including the continuing flow of returnees from Sudan, high levels of displacement and mounting concerns over a potential deterioration in food security.
The UN pointed out that despite steps forward, South Sudan has continued to face critical humanitarian challenges as it looks to the future. South Sudan achieved its historic independence from Sudan on 9 July. While independence celebrations passed peacefully, the basic safety and security of civilians remains a serious concern.
Quoting reports from local authorities and assessment teams, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in South Sudan said, "more than 275,000 persons have been newly displaced by conflict this year, including over 110,000 from Abyei. In addition, more than 330,000 people have returned from Sudan to South Sudan and thousands of other civilians are vulnerable to inter-communal violence and persistent rebel militia activity."
Food security has also become an increasingly urgent concern over the first half of 2011, with a combination of increased insecurity, displacement, reduced trade with Sudan, and erratic rainfall undermining people’s ability feed themselves. Emergency food aid has been provided in response to the increased humanitarian needs, but partners are now experiencing shortfalls in food stocks as a result, the UN underlined.
“It is critical that the Government of South Sudan, with the support of the international community, acts quickly to prevent a downturn in food security” said Ms Lise Grande. “Nothing is more important in the first year of statehood than ensuring that people have enough food to survive.”
South Sudan which was in war with the North for twenty one years, gained independence only last month. The new nations is expected to face huge challenges because of lack of basic infrastructures and the fragile tribal and ethnic cohesion.
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