In the past week close to 62,000 people have been displaced in the violence in South Sudan, including some 42,000 who are seeking refuge in UN bases. The situation in the UN base in the capital of Jonglei, Bor, is in particular dire. Looting of several UN and NGO compounds has been reported in Jonglei (Akobo and Bor) and Unity (Koch County). According to an update by the UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, the UN will start Sunday with the registration of 20,000 people seeking refuge in the two peacekeeping bases in Juba. Another 15,000 civilians fled to the base of Bor, the capital of Jonglei. The UN considers the situation in its camp in Bor very challenging after the majority of aid workers and civilian UNMISS staff staying at the base in Bor, some 250 people, were evacuated. Food needs are high among civilians in the UN base.
Five of South Sudan’s ten states have been affected by armed violence. Looting of humanitarian compounds has been reported in Jonglei and Unity states. According to the update report of the UN OCHA, an estimated 2,000 people are sheltering in the UNMISS base in Pibor town. Violence worsened in Jonglei, with continued fighting in Bor, Gumuruk, and Likuangole. Local authorities in Lakes State report that 20,000 people have arrived in Awerial County following the Jonglei violence. People have reportedly also been displaced in Terekeka, Central Equatoria State.
Juba/Central Equatoria
Fighting has also been reported in the following locations in Central Equatoria State: Terekeka, Mangala and Mogeri. During assessments in different neighbourhoods of Juba, protection agencies found several areas deserted, and witnessed looting. During assessments in different locations in Juba, aid agencies have not found any concentrations of people displaced by violence outside the two UNMISS bases of Tomping and UN House.
It is known that thousands sought refuge in several churches during the height of the violence. WFP has prepositioned 58 metric tonnes of super-cereal and sugar at UNMISS Tomping, with distributions planned to start today. High-energy biscuits will also be distributed to children under 5 years. With poor sanitation conditions in the sites, diseases like malaria and diarrhea are a potential threat. Most people live without shelter.
Unity State
The security situation deteriorated in Unity State, with reports of armed violence in Bentiu and Pariang. An estimated 5,000 people have sought shelter with UNMISS in Bentiu. In Bentiu, WFP is preparing to carry out an emergency food distribution for the displaced people in the base.