In Southern Sudan, we are helping 5,000 refugees fleeing from armed conflict
Published: Jan 23, 2014 Reading time: 4 minutes
Prague, Juba (January 23, 2014) - People in Need is helping more than 5,000 refugees in three locations in South Sudan who have fled the fighting and ethnic violence that engulfed the youngest country in the world in mid-December last year. The recent conflict has killed at least 1,000 people so far; nearly 500,000 residents have fled their home country and only 70,000 of them found refuge in UN bases. The others survive in makeshift refugee camps without any aid. Almost 80 percent of these refugees are women and children.
People in Need’s (PIN) team in South Sudan helps people who fled their villages, and oftentimes had to to travel up to a hundred kilometers to reach the safer territory of Juba. Now, these people reside in local schools or churches, and lack drinking water, food, blankets, shelters, toilets and medical care. In reaction to this situation, People in Need, facilitated the immediate release of 1 million CZK from the Humanitarian Fund of the Club of Friends of People in Need and facilitated the operation of building makeshift camps, creating of a water supply, constructing toilets and purchasing drugs and basic medical equipment.
"Our team, together with our partners, provides IDPs with food, blankets, dishes, tarpaulins and participate in an improvised education for children," says the head of humanitarian programs for PIN Marek Štys. The largest camp, which is currently managed by a PIN team near the Mahad school, contains approximately 3,500 refugees. People mainly come from Bor, the state capital of Jonglei, which government troops recaptured after heavy fighting in recent weeks.
"People are living in tents, classes, or just under a tree. Until recently they drank water from the river, and there was one latrine and no health care. Now, we supply clean water for the camp: through public works in addition to building latrines and other sanitation facilities. Additionally, in conjunction with the Swiss organization Medair, we set up a mobile clinic at school," says Marek Štys. People in Need cares for 1,500 refugees at the Kator church. "These people seek security at the church, especially at night, and also during the day when they are hustling for food, work and control of their homes," explains Marek Štys. "Here, they desperately lacked water, medical facilities and toilets," says Marek Štys. The team also manages a camp in Lologu with 300 refugees, which is the farthest camp from the center of Juba.
Humanitarian aid was greatly hampered by the volatile security situation. Since March 15th, 2013, paramedics in the country have treated more than 3,100 people with gunshot wounds. While the fighting persists, people continue to run away from vulnerable areas: for example, the Mahad camp and school receive one hundred and fifty new refugees on a daily basis. As a result, people are becoming increasingly concerned about the emergence and spread of epidemics, malnutrition and dire health situations in the places where the refugees reside. If the armed conflict in Southern Sudan continues, we can expect a continuous influx of refugees into Juba and the surrounding areas.
The situation in South Sudan:
On the 15th of December, conflict broke out in South Sudan after President Shalwar Kiir accused former Vice President Riek Machar of attempting a coup. The initial skirmish with the rebel army developed into large-scale battles between the major tribes of Dinka and Nuer, in which, according to the United Nations, both sides committed cruel, violent acts and reportedly some ethnic cleansing took place as well. Both of the leading parties in Ethiopia protracted peace talks that should lead to a ceasefire. However, many places continue to struggle in this country because it is governed in such a tense atmosphere.
People in Need in South Sudan:
People in Need has been working in South Sudan since October 2012, and has focused primarily on the provision of health care and everyday needs for refugees from Sudan in Juba and the state of Northern Bahr al - Ghazal. With the resources of the Czech Foreign Ministry and the Club of Friends in Need, the health center now assists 14,600 locals and hundreds of families have received support for agricultural activities and fishing. Read more here.
For more information please contact:
Marek Štys , leader of humanitarian programs, PIN, 777053522 , Marek.Stys @ clovekvtisni.cz
Author: Petr Štefan, media coordinator