The Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan has appealed to the government of South Sudan and oil companies to deal with the oil spills in Pariang county.

The oil fields in Pariang, Unity state have been leaking ever since the pumping facilities there were shut down due to fighting.

"We call upon the government of South Sudan and the national and international oil companies to address the issue of oil spills during the shutdown of the oil pipelines that have polluted the environment, damaged natural ecosystems in Pariang area," read a statement from the church's House of Bishops.

"The spilled oil contaminated water, grass and air and it has impacted on both animal and human lives," the bishops said. "Birds and cows are dying in great numbers and women are giving birth to deformed children."

The oil fields in Pariang were previously managed by the Greater Pioneer Operating Company. Civilian leadership in Pariang has repeatedly warned about diseases caused by leaking oil to no positive effect.

Photo: oil spill in South Sudan's Unity state, 2015 (Radio Tamazuj)

Related:

S Sudan official: oil companies did 'nothing' to protect environment (23 Sep 2015)

Fire at oil facility in South Sudan (21 Jan 2015)

S Sudan minister says cleaning up damage to oil fields (18 Nov 2014)

Corporate delegation inspects environmental damage at Pariang oil fields (27 Oct 2014)

New disease in Pariang, Unity linked to oil leaks (17 Oct 2014)

Pariang official complains of diseases caused by oil extraction (28 Sep 2014)