South Sudan: Violence Fuels Humanitarian Crisis

JRS

Warring parties, international community and UN peacekeeping force must do more to protect civilians and aid agencies

South Sudan faces a spiralling humanitarian crisis as the recent surge in fighting prevents aid agencies from providing urgent help to millions of people in need. Violence and insecurity continue in Juba and are spreading to other states despite a fragile ceasefire in a country where half the population relies on humanitarian aid, ten aid agencies warned today.

The aid agencies - CARE, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Danish Refugee Council, Global Communities, Internews, Jesuit Refugee Service, and Relief International - are calling on the Government of South Sudan and the opposition to fully implement the ceasefire in the capital Juba and throughout the country. The government and the UN peacekeeping force, UNMISS, must also ensure that humanitarian agencies can operate safely in order to get aid to those who need it.

Even before the latest fighting which rocked South Sudan on 7 July, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of independence, 4.8 million people did not have enough to eat and 2.5 million people had fled their homes. The fighting in Juba left at least 300 dead and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, leaving many more people without enough food, water or shelter.

"Once again, we risk failing the people of South Sudan at a time when they most need our help. Many aid agencies have had to suspend or limit life-saving work due to the continuing fighting and insecurity, and it is the most vulnerable people who are paying the price. The international community must redouble its efforts to find a solution to this crisis. Nothing will protect civilians like a peace that is fully implemented. The status quo is simply not enough," said Kate Phillips-Barrasso, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee.

If security conditions deteriorate further, providing aid will become logistically impossible. Humanitarian aid has probably already prevented famine in hard-to-reach parts of South Sudan - if aid agencies cannot operate fully the consequences could be catastrophic.

The aid organisations are calling on the UN Security Council to ensure the performance of UNMISS is improved in order to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian organisations can work freely and safely across the country. The whole international community and senior UN officials also have a role to play in ensuring that the government provides access to aid agencies to all people in need.