Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 23:54:44 +0200
S.Sudan crisis 'deteriorates' after six months of war
<http://www.afp.com/> AFP
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
15.06.2014
Juba (AFP) - Aid agencies warned Sunday that starvation and diseases like
malaria and cholera were set to intensify the crisis in South Sudan, which
has been devastated by six months of conflict.
War in the young nation has already killed thousands and forced more than
1.5 million people from their homes, and aid agencies warn of the risk of
famine should fighting continue.
"The conflict has taken thousands of lives and destroyed the livelihoods of
millions," Oxfam's South Sudan chief Emma Jane Drew said Sunday.
"The people of South Sudan have been exposed to a triple crisis -- conflict,
hunger and disease -- and with the rains now in full swing, the situation
only stands to deteriorate."
On Saturday, the United Nations launched an appeal for funds, begging for
over a billion dollars to support almost four million people hit by the
fighting.
"Now that the rains have set in, conditions in South Sudan are deteriorating
by the day: people are literally living in mud," UN aid chief for South
Sudan Toby Lanzer said Saturday.
- 50,000 children facing death -
"Cholera has broken out, malaria is rampant and many children are
malnourished. Millions of people need emergency healthcare, food, clean
water, proper sanitation and shelter to make it through the year," he added.
Lanzer warned that more than "50,000 children could die this year" from
disease and hunger if they do not get assistance.
Over 94,000 civilians are still sheltering inside hugely overcrowded UN
bases, too frighted to leave the protection of the razor wire fence for fear
of attack.
Some of the camps are knee-deep in water and mud.
President Salva Kiir and his arch-rival Riek Machar committed themselves
again on Tuesday to a ceasefire, although many analysts are sceptical they
really want a negotiated end to the conflict, and instead believe a military
victory is still possible.
Two earlier ceasefire deals were broken within hours.
"This six-month mark is a harrowing reminder of the devastation caused in
this short time and scale of need in this young nation," Oxfam added.
"If we are to avoid a famine in South Sudan, the time to act is now."
While $740 million (547 million euros) has been offered, aid agencies face a
shortfall of over $1 billion (739 million euros), the UN has warned.
Months of dragging peace talks in Ethiopia have made little progress, so far
costing over 17 million dollars (12 million euros).
"Both parties to the conflict must genuinely commit to building a path to
peace that is robust and enduring, and they must call on their troops to lay
down their arms and stop putting the lives of their own citizens at risk,"
Oxfam added.
Fighting broke out on December 15, pitting government troops against militia
forces loosely loyal to Machar.
Kiir accused Machar of having attempted a coup, but he has in turn been
accused of starting the war by launching a purge of his rivals.
Both men fought each other during the 1983-2005 civil war that paved the way
for South Sudan's independence three years ago, when Machar became
vice-president.
The violence has taken on a complex ethnic dimension, with the Dinka people
of Kiir fighting the Nuer, Machar's tribe.
After heavy battles early in the year, when major towns were razed as they
switched hands several times between government forces and rebels, the
conflict appears to be settling down into a miserable low-level civil war.
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e-western-photo-161957910.html?.tsrc=tmobustoday> A woman collects grain
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A woman collects grain from the ground at the harbour of Lul, a village on
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