Jonglei Fighting: Un Humanitarian Chief Urges Access To Civilians

People fleeing Pibor town in Jonglei state, South Sudan. Photo: UNMISS

“I am alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Pibor County in Jonglei,” said Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations.

The situation has deteriorated in Jonglei, where deadly clashes between multiple parties have left thousands of people cut off from aid, the top United Nations humanitarian official has urged an immediate end to the violence and has appealed for access to all those in need in the strife-torn region of South Sudan.

“I call on all parties to stop the violence immediately, to prevent further unnecessary loss of life, and to create the necessary security environment conducive for aid delivery,” roared Amos.

Ms. Amos explained that an estimated 100,000 civilians in the area have been cut off from life-saving assistance as a result of fighting between State and non-state armed actors, and the recent resurgence of inter-communal clashes.

“The fighting is threatening the lives of ordinary people and has reduced the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide urgently needed help,” she stated.

“I ask the international community to ensure that we have the necessary logistical resources, including air assets, to reach all those in need in Pibor County,” Ms. Amos said, emphasizing that as long as the fighting continues, aid delivery will be limited and “we will not get help to those who need it.”