South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday said that the ongoing conflict in Sudan has put pressure on the fragile health system in South Sudan, due to influx of returnees and refugees fleeing fighting.
Patrick Yuossef, ICRC Regional Director for Africa said that poor health conditions are expected to worsen due to the high number of people arriving into South Sudan as conflict escalates in neighboring Sudan.
“My fear is that the influx has created an additional strain on already existing difficulties in terms of health services, if you look at health facilities, they are mostly run by international organizations or local organizations and if funding stops, they have no way of sustaining such operations,” Yuossef told journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
‘’South Sudan is still recovering from years of conflict, but it is now facing the consequences of the conflict in Sudan, with hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee to South Sudan. All this comes at a time when ongoing conflicts around the world have put additional strain on humanitarian resources, while the needs have not diminished,” he added.
Youssef during his visit from April 29th to May 3rd travelled to Malakal town of Upper Nile state and Akobo and Diel areas in Jonglei state, where he met with affected communities, government officials, key humanitarian actors and relevant organizations.
He also met with the First Vice President Riek Machar, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Albino Akol Atyak and diplomatic representatives, to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country and the limited resources available to respond to it.
“The humanitarian situation in South Sudan is dire due to conflict and intercommunal violence, compounded by a lack of infrastructure, widespread food insecurity, destruction of farmland, displacement, harsh weather conditions, and limited access to basic services,” Youssef said.
He noted that the country’s strained resources are being stretched further by the combined effects of economic instability and the influx of more than 650,000 people fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
Youssef called on the transitional unity government to avail funding to address the worsening humanitarian situation, saying that humanitarian organizations are unable to do it alone.
“The humanitarian situation in South Sudan is to be addressed first and foremost by the authorities, while additionally the support of the humanitarian and development community is also crucial and will serve to assist a population in dire need,” he said.
The South Sudan government recently imposed taxes on fuel and other aid deliveries, forcing the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and other UN agencies to reduce humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
Youssef said that ICRC, as an organization committed to alleviating suffering and promoting the protection of civilians and human dignity in conflict-affected areas, needs the support of the government to carry out its mission effectively.
“However, the recent introduction of new fees, levies and taxes by the government of South Sudan will significantly increase the cost of humanitarian operations and further limit the resources available to help the affected population,” he said.
