The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Eugene Owusu, has appealed to all warring parties to ensure immediate, safe and unhindered humanitarian access across South Sudan, barely a week after famine was declared in parts of the country.

In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj today, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Owusu said: “The people of South Sudan are suffering beyond measure.”

“The famine that was declared last week represents only the most extreme tip of the iceberg of needs in this country. To avert further catastrophe, it is imperative that humanitarians are able to act swiftly and robustly. I implore all parties to this conflict to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law, place the plight of the people first, give aid workers unfettered access, and protect civilians.”

The statement further said Owusu’s call follows a series of recent events which have hampered humanitarian operations and placed civilians at risk.

Since late January, clashes on the west bank in Upper Nile have caused tens of thousands of people to flee Wau Shilluk and surrounding areas, according to the UN agency.

It pointed out that humanitarians remain deeply concerned regarding the safety of these civilians, many of whom are now in Kodok and Aburoc.

“In Jonglei, clashes have reached new locations in recent days, causing civilians to flee. During the chaos, humanitarian compounds were looted by armed actors and community members,” partly reads the statement.

 The organization noted that aid workers were denied access last week to key locations outside of Lainya town in Central Equatoria, where tens of thousands of people in need have not been reached with aid in months.

The statement indicated that 28 humanitarians were forced to relocate from Mayendit County recently due to insecurity. “I welcome His Excellency the President’s reassurance last week that all humanitarian organizations will have unimpeded access to needy populations across the country,” said Owusu. “Time is of the essence, and lives are in the balance, so it is critical that these words be translated into concrete actions on the ground immediately.”

Insecurity and lack of access have left some 100,000 people facing starvation in parts of South Sudan where famine was declared on 20 February, and a further one million are on the brink of famine, according to the statement.

It added that by the height of the lean season in July, it is expected that some 5.5 million people will be severely food insecure across the country.

Photo: Loading a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) helicopter to deliver assistance in Pibor county,(WFP/Ahnna Gudmunds).