The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan deepens as heavy fighting continues: some 395,000 people have fled their homes

Around 352,000 people have been internally displaced. Fighting around Bentiu and Bor is reported to have led to signficiant population movements with people fleeing urban areas. photo: afp

(PRN) JUBA, South Sudan, January 13, 2014 - The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan deepened between 8 and 10 January, with heavy fighting in Jonglei and Unity states and sporadic clashes in Central Equatoria and Upper Nile states.

Since 15 December, some 395,000 people have fled their homes, including 42,800 people who have crossed into neighbouring countries.

Around 352,000 people have been internally displaced. Fighting around Bentiu and Bor is reported to have led to signficiant population movements with people fleeing urban areas. Just over 60,000 of the displaced people have sought shelter in ten UN peacekeeping bases.

Aid agencies have so far reached around 175,000 of the people internally displaced with aid, the majority of whom are in rural or open settings.

Though the full scale of violence remained difficult to gauge, thousands of people have been killed or injured in the fighting. Health partners have treated over 2,600 patients with gunshot wounds, and research carried out by the International Crisis Group estimated the number of people killed at 10,000.

However, due to ongoing hostilities, humanitarian agencies are unable to verify this number. Partners continued to receive troubling reports of civilians being targeted in killings, harassment and destruction of property, including based on ethnic identity. In areas with ongoing hostilities, in particular in and around Bentiu and Bor towns, humanitarian access was severely restricted.

Humanitarian flights to Bor remained suspended as all necessary safety assurances could not be secured. Continued looting and interference in humanitarian activities was reported. Since the start of the crisis, dozens of aid compounds have been looted and dozens of vehicles commandeered or stolen, along with other assets such as fuel.

In light of the deepening crisis, aid agencies prepared to respond to increased displacement, including to host communities affected by violence or arrivals of people displaced. This also includes contingency planning for the coming rainy season, which could cause secondary displacement due to flooding.