IDP crisis swells in South Sudan

Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric addressing reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.
[PHOTO: UNifeed]

New York: A UN spokesperson has said that the number of conflict-displaced persons sheltering at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)  is likely to remain high over the coming months in light of insecurity and the projected worsening of the food security situation.

Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters, Stephane Dujaric said "in a press conference in Juba, the Mission said that work on improving existing Protection of Civilians sites and building new ones is continuing."

He added "in Malakal, for example, 2/3 of the displaced – that's almost 12,000 people -- at the UN bases have already moved into a new site. And in Juba, a new site is ready to welcome up to 13,000 people. Relocations to this site has started with 672 people having moved in so far."

Dujarric recalled that Hilde Johnson, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, said that nearly 100,000 people are seeking protection in the ten UN bases across the country.

Finally, the UN spokesperson said that the Mission in South Sudan was concerned about the situation in Bentiu, where 100 to 200 displaced people continue to arrive daily.

The Mission also reported that there are sanitary and health concerns given how crowded the base is. - UNifeed