As a result of the recent wave of violence in Unity and Upper Nile, thousands of people have fled their homes in the last few months, seeking safety in the bush and swamps in remote areas with little or no food and even less access to health care.
“Sadly, the situation in Unity continues to deteriorate - In Leer, and parts of Koch and Mayendit counties, the population has largely exhausted its traditional coping mechanisms” said Daniel Littlejohn, Head of the ICRC sub delegation in Unity state. “Properties, crops, cattle and other forms of sustenance have been lost or destroyed. There is no regular access to healthcare and with this constant instability, the opportunities to provide relief are very limited”. Furthermore, lack of security and harsh weather conditions further complicate access to vulnerable populations.
Until May this year, the ICRC ran a large relief operation out of its base in Leer, distributing food aid for more than 100,000 persons on a regular basis and providing surgical care to war wounded. As the fighting in May intensified, the ICRC evacuated its staff to safer locations. However, despite the insecurity, the ICRC has delivered assistance to conflict-affected families in Leer, Mayendit, and Mayom counties since July. Over 40 000 people have received some combination of food rations and essential living items, including fishing kits, mosquito nets and sleeping mats. In addition, over 100 wounded people have been transported by the ICRC to hospitals to receive critical surgical care.