The violence has led to cattle raiding, destruction of properties,
and displacement of thousands of people. Some 5,000 internally displaced
people, including women and children, have arrived in Pibor town after
fleeing the conflict areas of Gumuruk and Lekuangole. “People have
suffered enough. Civilians – especially those most vulnerable – women,
children, the elderly and the disabled – bear the brunt of this
prolonged crisis”, said Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Humanitarian
Coordinator for South Sudan.
Humanitarian partners are providing much needed assistance to those
affected by the violence. The recent violent outbreak follows another
massive displacement of civilians which was triggered by fighting
mid-November 2022 in Fashoda County, Upper Nile State. The UN response
to this crisis is ongoing and during a mission to Malakal, Upper Nile
State to access the ongoing humanitarian operations, Ms. Hamida R.
Lasseko, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan expressed her grave
concern, noting that “the escalation of violence in areas across the
country has left some vulnerable people fleeing for safety in various
directions in desperate need of support.” The ongoing fighting has had
an adverse impact on the overstretched humanitarian operations in South
Sudan opening new gaps. “This puts additional strain on the humanitarian
response and resources. We are forced to prioritize immediate
lifesaving needs of the newly displaced population”, Ms. Lasseko added.
Vulnerable people in South Sudan continue to suffer the cumulative
and compounding effects of years of social and political instability,
food insecurity, and climate-related shocks such as flooding. The
ongoing conflict, including violence at the sub-national level, has
impacted thousands of people in 2022, leading to multiple displacements,
loss of lives and livelihoods. This has also exacerbated people’s
chronic vulnerabilities and mounting needs for life-saving humanitarian
assistance and protection. “The violence must stop. The whole
humanitarian community calls upon all armed elements to immediately
cease hostilities, respect international humanitarian law and protect
civilians and humanitarian workers,” said Ms. Nyanti. “Impunity is a
perpetuating factor and root cause for conflict and insecurity. There
must be accountability,” she stressed.
In 2023, a projected 9.4 million people will need humanitarian
assistance and protection, and an estimated 2.8 million people are
expected to face physical violence including, rape, and other forms of
gender-based violence and will need protection assistance. Protracted
displacement has affected over 2.2 million people unable to return to
their homes. “I am deeply concerned about the continuous deterioration
of people’s physical and mental well-being, living standards and coping
mechanisms,” said Ms. Nyanti. “Peace is the prerequisite for people to
rebuild their lives,” she added.
Note to editors:
Estimated 9.4 million of the most vulnerable people in South
Sudan will need urgent life-saving assistance and protection in 2023,
compared to 8.9 million in 2022. In 2023, humanitarian partners target
6.8 million people with urgent life-saving support and protection
services. As of 28 December, the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan was
funded at 67.4 per cent. South Sudan continues to be the most violent
context for aid workers, followed by Afghanistan and Syria. Since the
beginning of 2022, nine humanitarian workers were killed in the line of
duty in South Sudan. Across the country, aid workers – mostly national
humanitarian workers – are affected by the impact of armed violence,
bureaucratic impediments, and targeted violence.
For further information, please contact:
Joseph Inganji, Head of Office, inganji@un.org
Krasimira Antimova, Public Information Officer, antimova@un.org
