South Sudan: Aid agencies say renewed fighting in Melut, is plunging country from crisis to catastrophe

CAFOD and Trocaire are gravely concerned about the attack on the town of Melut in South Sudan.

The international aid agencies have been forced to withdraw their staff and halt their life-saving humanitarian work with vulnerable communities who have been caught up in nearly two years of conflict between government and opposition forces.

Jane Andanje, Country Representative for CAFOD and Trocaire, gave the following report: "We have three staff bunkered inside the UN compound in Melut, and our staff report that there is the constant sound of shelling - believed to be mortar fire. "The UN has reported that four displaced people sheltering in the 'Protection' section of the compound have been killed in the crossfire, and eight people injured. "We also have unconfirmed reports that NGO offices including CAFOD and Trocaire's have been broken into and looted."

Until the outbreak of this recent fighting CAFOD and Trocaire were delivering humanitarian aid to more than 20,000 people with their partner Caritas Malakal, in Torkuach and Mabek, which are villages north of Melut on the east bank of the White Nile, close to the border with Sudan.

Jane continued: "Ordinary people are bearing the brunt of this renewed fighting, which only serves to deepen and prolong their suffering, as they flee attacks by government and opposition forces.

"Beleaguered communities must be protected, and not become military targets. It is essential that we are able to continue our work with vulnerable communities providing vital food, clean water, shelter and other essential items they urgently need.

"We call on all armed groups to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian and human rights law, refrain from targeting civilians, respect the sanctity of civilian spaces, and permit immediate and unconditional humanitarian access to civilians in all areas."

Fighting broke out between the government of President Salva Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar, in December 2013, first on the streets of the capital Juba, before quickly spreading across the country. The conflict has forced an estimated one million people from their homes, thousands have been killed, and over four million people have needed humanitarian assistance.

Jane Andanje said that the international community must not lose patience with South Sudan; rather, a more concerted effort must be made to bring about peace: "The international community and all parties to the conflict must redouble their efforts towards securing a sustainable, negotiated, peaceful solution to the conflict. "Now is not the time for the world to walk away from South Sudan. The people more than ever deserve our concerted attention and efforts; inaction is not an option."

From 1 April 2015 CAFOD and Trócaire started working in together in South Sudan, as CAFOD and Trócaire in Partnership.