120,000 South Sudanese cut off from aid: MSF
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June 17, 2013 (JUBA) – At least 120,000 people have fled fighting in
and around the main towns in South Sudan’s Jonglei state county of
Pibor and are currently in unsafe and malaria-infested swamps with no
access to safe drinking water, food, or medical care, an agency said.
JPEG - 89.2 kb
Vandalized MSF hospital in Pibor (Vikki Stienen/MSF)
The international medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in
a statement, said South Sudan government must allow immediate
humanitarian assistance to these areas to prevent the deaths of
thousands of internally displaced persons.
Majority of those displaced, according to the MSF, fled for their
lives into bushes amid intensified fighting between the South Sudan
Army (SPLA) and the David YauYau armed militia group over the past
month.
“Immediate action is required to avoid catastrophe”, said MSF director
of operations, Bart Janssens.
“The area in Pibor county where the population is hiding will flood
during the imminent rainy season. This will not be a place where
people can remain alive”, he added.
The agency, also expressed fears of a possible increase in mortality
rates, due to the absence of medical care in the region, citing
pneumonia and other respiratory diseases, malaria and diarrhea.
Unknown people, last month, looted MSF hospital in Pibor town, gravely
impacting on the organisation’s ability to provide medical aid to
thousands of people displaced in the region.
Those displaced, it said, have fled the main towns most likely out of
fear of being confused with rebels groups or being caught in the
crossfire.
“The real or perceived lack of distinction between civilians of the
Murle community and combatants will only increase the risk of disease
and death for a population living with violence, displacement and
fear”, MSF said.
Nearly the entire Murle community from Pibor county has been cut off
from any assistance, it added.
The medical charity, however, expressed dismay over alleged denial, by
the army, for its staff to travel and deliver assistance to people
hiding in bushes.
“MSF teams stand ready to resume and scale-up medical activities for
all people in need regardless of the community they belong to but
South Sudan authorities must allow the unhindered provision of
humanitarian assistance to the displaced,” said Janssens.
All parties to the conflict should respect medical facilities, staff
and patients, the agency further stressed, adding that urgency of this
cannot be overstated.
Violence, according to the United Nations, is likely to displace more
than 200,000 South Sudanese this year.
(ST)
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