Juba – Over the last three days, close to 25,000 people have been displaced by intense fighting between the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the Agwelek forces around the town of Kodok. The humanitarian organisations that have, up until now, been providing essential medical services, water, food, non-food items, and shelter have had to temporarily suspend activities on the west bank of the Nile because of the increasing insecurity.
“This is a disaster in the making, just as the demand is greatest,” said Marcus Bachmann, the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) head of mission for South Sudan. “Hospitals in the area are not operational, and water deliveries are unreliable. Yesterday no water deliveries were made to the displaced people because of the fighting. Given the scorching heat and the exposure of the population to the elements, soon we will see people suffering from chronic dehydration and diarrhoea, as well as diseases like cholera.”
Escaping the violence is difficult as positions are rapidly changing hands between the different forces, and displaced people find themselves surrounded on all sides. Without protection, many will have little other alternative than to leave for camps in Sudan where they can find refuge. Those who decide to go face an arduous journey on foot, lasting many days, with very few opportunities to receive food or water.
“We are calling on both parties to ensure that all civilians are protected from the fighting, and are provided with safe and secure access to essential humanitarian services”, said Marcus Bachmann. “As we have been forced to suspend most of our operations, we have provided bags which contain essential medicines and supplies, so that our staff who are with the fleeing displaced people can provide basic treatment in the field.”
With the rainy season approaching, it seems likely that the flow of people leaving for Sudan will increase as they avoid being trapped in the area.
MSF had been providing emergency medical support to the 13,000 displaced people who had fled the fighting in the area in January. This included a field hospital and two mobile units, but these activities have been suspended.
The lack of water remains a big concern for the new internally displaced people. On Tuesday, the people gathered in and around Aburoc only had access to 60,000 litres of water. This is an average of only 1.7 litres per person, well below the 2.5 litres-3 litres of water needed for survival. On Wednesday, there were no deliveries of water because of the fighting. Water trucks are on hand to resume limited deliveries, but only if the situation becomes safer.