275,000 Civilians Displaced In South Sudan: UN Report

275,000 civilians have been displaced by conflict this year alone in South Sudan including 110,000 from the embattled oil rich region, Abyei, the United Nations has said in an official statement released yesterday.

Meanwhile more than 330,000 South Sudanese displaced to Khartoum during the decades of civil war between have returned home with a thousand others vulnerable to inter-communal violence and persistent rebel militia activities.

Lise Grande, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, has decried of the deplorable conditions the returnees and displaced persons are facing, saying food insecurity besides other threats has emerged a critical challenge.

‘Food security has become an increasingly urgent concern over the first half of 2011, with a combination of increased insecurity, displacement, reduced trade with Sudan, and erratic rainfall undermining people’s ability to feed themselves,’ the statement quoted.

The UN has warned of a possible outbreak of worse famine in the newest State if active measures are not taken against food insecurity.

“It is critical that the Government of South Sudan, with the support of the international community, acts quickly to prevent a downturn in food security,” said Ms Lise, adding that, “nothing is more important in the first year of statehood than ensuring that people have enough food to survive.”

“Concrete measures are needed to ensure that ordinary civilians are protected from the effects of insecurity. It’s equally important that humanitarian staffs are respected as neutral actors (aid workers),” Lise said.

“We have asked the Government of South Sudan to demonstrate zero tolerance for the harassment of aid workers so that life-saving services can continue,” she added.

Last week the South Sudanese Minister of Disaster and Humanitarian Affairs, Hon James Kok said that, nearly 1.5million Southerners are still in Khartoum. Insecurity and travel logistics are challenges hindering their return.

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