Humanitarian agencies warn of worse conditions
Tuesday, 15 May 2012 08:07 Lagu Francis South Sudan >>> . Humanitarian agencies are warning that seasonal rains in Sudan and South Sudan will worsen what they refer to "as dire conditions in refugee camps". Five aid groups: Oxfam, Christian Aid, the International Rescue Committee, Save the Children and Refugees International in a joint statement said the rains will make many roads impassable, trapping people in unstable areas and deepening the current hunger crisis. The statement says many supply routes will be cut, hampering the distribution of food and much needed medicines. The statement further notes that conflicts in Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile states are driving record numbers of people across the border, with an estimated 151,000 refugees from the two states seeking refuge in Ethiopia and South Sudan. In May, in a single day, 700 people arrived at Yida camp in South Sudan's Unity state, while in Jamam camp in Upper Nile state agencies are struggling to provide 37,000 refugees with clean water. The Deputy Country Director for Oxfam Johnson Byamukama on Tuesday told Radio Miraya that the warning is a wakeup call for local communities and other stakeholders to prepare before the rains increase. "I think this is about trying to raise the voice of people affected by the current tensions and conflicts between Sudan and South and specifically the refugees who crossed over from Blue Nile and other parts of Sudan into South Sudan," said Byamukama. "With the coming rain; actually the conditions of the affected people are going to be worst off in terms of affecting access to humanitarian aid". Byamukama calls on Sudan and South Sudan to resolve the conflicts through peaceful means. "I think the long term and the most sustainable solution is actually to have a peaceful resolution of this conflict, like cessation of hostilities, going back to the negotiating table," he said. "Give that state for people not to be under constant pressure of hunger, displacement and suffering. Of course, as humanitarian agencies, we do humanitarian response work". The joint statement calls for cessation of hostilities between South Sudan and Sudan so as to allow a sustained broad access of aid provision and give populations the opportunity to cultivate crops for the next harvest season. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
