UN Concerned Of Consequences Of Overcrowding At Its Bases The United Nations is concerned of the severe consequences of overcrowding at its facilities when the rains begin to fall in about seven weeks. 11 February 2014
By Francis Apiliga Lagu *Juba, 11 February 2014 (Gurtong) - "*We are very concerned that we are only seven weeks away from when the rains will be steadier in Juba. The overcrowding (of internally displaced persons) at the UN peacekeeping bases is very severe," Toby Lanzer, Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan told the press in Juba today. According to Lanzer, usually in a camp like setting, it is recommended to have at least 40 square metres per person but the Tong Ping base is overstretched. "When you combine severe overcrowding, the lack of space, blistering heat and rain, the likelihood of public health crisis is very very high," Lanzer warned. Tong Ping is a flood prone area. Lanzer, also the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) said the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will not evacuate the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to neighbouring countries. He however said plans are underway to open another spacious new base where some members of the IDPs in the crowded base at Tong Ping-Juba may be transferred. "UN has not helped IDPs leave the country and for the time being, we will not do that. We don't think that is a durable solution. The country needs to end bloodshed," he said. "We are calling upon leaders of the country to do whatever they can to reconcile the people and move South Sudan forward." The humanitarian coordinator couldn't not quantify the setback caused by the political unrest but said it has held back the lifting of austerity measures as money had to be spent on restoring order and relative peace. Lanzer is however encouraged by the positive response of donors whom he said in just a week have contributed about $ 100m to their appeal of $1.27b last week to assist 3.2 million people suffering the humanitarian consequences of the political crisis. Aid agencies last week made the appeal for the urgent needs of the close to 900,000 IDPs for just next six months. Posted in: Home<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/1/Home.aspx> , Foreign Relations<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/5/Foreign-Relations.aspx> , Governance<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/6/Governance.aspx> , Humanitarian<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/8/Humanitarian.aspx> , Featured Stories<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/137/Featured-Stories.aspx> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14oo3TkectVcgAZ%3DBbxoc%2B_3L4ANqD4%2Bpap-cUigAFMeuBA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
