A tragic outbreak of violence in Malakal’s Protection of Civilians site has added to the suffering of more than 40,000 people who had already been displaced by earlier fighting in the city.
At least 18 people were killed and more than 90 wounded after scuffles between Shilluk and Dinka youths in the camp led to more serious fighting, joined by SPLA troops who infiltrated the UN protection site from outside. Fire swept through parts of the camp and many homes were looted as well as two medical clinics.
Civilians are now uprooted from their shelters, without enough food, water or sanitation facilities. UN peacekeepers have regained control of the Protection Site and reinforced the perimeter, while armed elements associated to the government control the areas outside the UN base and adjoining protection site.
Listen to our latest report from Malakal (audio in Arabic):