The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had to withdraw teams from several areas of South Sudan owing to recent or ongoing hostilities, their spokesman in South Sudan said today.
“We have temporarily moved teams from different parts of the country but we aim to return and we monitor the situation closely so that our teams can return,” said spokesman Jacob Kurtzer.
ICRC is assisting displaced populations, providing emergency surgical services, and tracing of missing persons. The humanitarian group has provided water, food and medical services to tens of thousands since the start of the crisis in mid December.
Asked where they had closed operations, ICRC spokesman said they relocated a team from Bor because the situation was very insecure and another surgical team from Bentiu, which moved to Leer, and also temporarily another team was relocated from Minkamen in Awerial County of Lakes State.
“The situation is constantly evolving so we are hopeful to be able to return to all of these places as soon as possible,” said Kurtzer.
Last Saturday the ICRC expressed concern about “the lack of respect in South Sudan for medical and humanitarian work and for those carrying it out.” In a statement the Red Cross called on all parties to comply with their obligations under humanitarian law, that is, to allow safe access for humanitarian work.
“They must refrain from deliberately impeding the delivery of relief supplies to civilians in need in areas under their control. Under international humanitarian law, people doing medical work benefit from special protection. Wounded and sick people and medical facilities, vehicles and personnel must be spared and protected without exception at all times,” the statement read.
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File photo: Many people displaced from Bor County are scattered throughout eastern Lakes State, with the largest concentration of about 80,000 around Mingkamen (MSF)