The broken ceasefire in South Sudan threatens the safety of civilians and aid workers in Malakal, World Vision said today.
Perry Mansfield, World Vision South Sudan’s Programme Director, said that renewed hostilities between the opposition and government forces are likely to jeopardise the security of civilians and aid workers including World Vision staff.
“The resumption of fighting within Malakal town, where World Vision has a presence, is a big setback to humanitarian efforts,” Mr Mansfield said. “Both parties should end hostilities immediately, to prevent more bloodshed and a worsening humanitarian situation in the country.”
World Vision’s response team, based within the Malakal UN compound, has provided humanitarian assistance to thousands of displaced people within Malakal town.
The humanitarian organisation has been working alongside other agencies to provide emergency relief to thousands of civilians in Malakal following the signing of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the government and opposition forces on January 23, 2014.
In partnership with the World Food Programme, World Vision has distributed food to more than 20,000 people seeking refuge in the UN compound. It has also started water and sanitation programs within the town.
World Vision has worked in South Sudan since 1989. Before independence, it was among the few aid agencies that provided emergency assistance during war to displaced people in the then Southern Sudan region of Sudan.
Before South Sudan’s independence in July 2011, Southern Sudan signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This enabled World Vision to implement recovery and development programs to help stabilise the region.
Spread across seven of the ten states of South Sudan, World Vision programs cover health, nutrition, food security, economic development, water, sanitation, education, peace building and emergency response.
World Vision is still operating ongoing programming in Western Equatoria, Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal States and scaling up operations in conflict affected areas. World Vision will continue to monitor the security and humanitarian situation in the country and respond to the immediate needs of the conflict-affected population within its operation areas.
Media contact: Gabrielle Brophy, 0407 575 112 or gabrielle.brophy@worldvision.com.au