Melker Mabeck, the outgoing head of the delegation of the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) in South Sudan, last Friday warned that the aid group will soon need more funds in order to continue humanitarian operations.
After the crisis broke out in Juba in December, the ICRC spent more than $20 million in a matter of weeks in order to scale up its work in the country. The ICRC surgical facilities at that time were overwhelmed with war-wounded people.
In a briefing to journalists on Friday, Mabeck described the humanitarian situation as ‘critical,’ citing logistical difficulties in accessing remote location of where many displaced people have taken refuge.
He pointed that four months after the beginning of the conflict, humanitarian needs continue to increase in South Sudan, pointing out that tens of thousands of people need medical care.
“We are concerned about the worsening of the humanitarian situation. There is growing food insecurity since the production and marketing of food have been disrupted in many places by violence or displacement. This combined with disruptions to water and health services where they exist, means that needs will only become more critical,” he explained.
Mabeck also disclosed that ICRC would be appealing for funds in the coming days. The organization has 600 staff in the country currently working closely with South Sudan Red Cross. Its annual budget for the country comes to 64 million Swiss francs (around 72 million US dollars).
“We will soon need more resources to respond to the ever-growing needs,” said Mabeck.
According to a fact sheet provided by ICRC, the international organization has provided food to 117,500 displaced people in Aweirial, Juba, Malakal, and Warrap state, provided clean water or made repairs to water systems, performed 1,200 surgeries and provided nursing care in 8 different health facilities around the country.
Photo: Melker Mabeck addresses the press in Juba (Radio Tamazuj)
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ICRC president says ‘can’t cope’ with influx of wounded in South Sudan (8 Jan.)
Red Cross spends $21 million on South Sudan crisis in 3 weeks (8 Jan.)