The number of people living inside a ‘protection of civilians site’ (PoC) at the United Nations’ peacekeeping base in Bentiu, South Sudan has reached more than 100,000.
New data published by the United Nations today puts the exact figure at 103,913, which is about 18% of the total state population as reported in the 2008 population census.
The majority of the population in the state remain uprooted. Those living at the Bentiu PoC are ethnic Nuers, one of two ethnic groups living in Unity State.
During the government’s May 2015 offensive, the UN estimated that total number of conflict-displaced people in Unity State had risen to 437,600. Judging by the census data, this means that about 75% of the state population are displaced.
Human rights organizations and UNMISS human rights monitors have reported horrific crimes committed in the state recently, particularly during violence from late April to May, including villages burned, women and girls raped and killed, children massacred and civilians properties looted.
Bentiu has seen the sharpest population increase of all the UN protection sites, according to aid agencies. This increases needs for food, shelter and other services, at a time of year when road travel to Bentiu is particularly difficult.
The UN Office for the Coordination fo Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in one of its regular updates today that the camp area has been expanded in Bentiu and more displaced people are moving into “improved areas of the site.”
“PoC site development in Bentiu and Malakal will help ensure that the dire situations of the last rainy season are not repeated this year and human dignity is maintained,” OCHA stated. As of 9 July, more than 43,000 internally displaced people (IDP) had relocated to improved sections of the Bentiu PoC.
Moustapha Soumare, the UN Deputy Special Representative in South Sudan, yesterday said that the number of displaced people living under UN protection continues to rise. The estimated number of civilians seeking safety in the six PoC sites located on UNMISS bases is 166,142.
Besides the approximately 100,000 in Bentui, this includes 28,663 in Juba UN House, 30,410 in Malakal, 2,289 in Bor, 665 in Melut and 202 in Wau. This represents an increase of about 64,000 people since December 2014.
Related:
UN delays leave ‘protection’ area unfenced amid horrific violence in S Sudan’s Unity State
South Sudan’s Kiir equates UN-protected civilians with rebels