South Sudan: 30,000 displaced people receive aid in Awerial

Topics: National, Emergencies and Disasters Worldwide
January 20, 2014

Tens of thousands of people fearing for their lives have fled violence in Jonglei state, in South Sudan. They are crossing the Nile River and seeking refuge in Awerial county, in the centre of the country. The need for humanitarian aid is acute, as more people arrive daily. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the South Sudan Red Cross are carrying out a major aid distribution to meet immediate food, shelter and other needs.

The ICRC has already provided one-month food rations to nearly 60,000 displaced, with 35,000 of them also receiving basic items like blankets, tarpaulins, cooking kits, and jerry cans. In addition, fishing kits are being distributed to over 16,000 residents of Awerial county, whose resources are under strain from this sudden influx of displaced people.

Elsewhere in South Sudan, the ICRC is calling on all parties to take every feasible precaution to minimize civilian casualties, to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, and to allow people to reach health-care facilities safely. In response to the rising violence, the Red Cross is providing emergency and trauma care to hundreds of wounded patients at hospitals in Juba, Malakal, Bentiu and Leer, and has delivered over 200,000 litres of clean water, built four latrines, and set up seven tents to expand patient wards in one of Juba’s main hospitals.

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