Violence prevails in South Sudan despite peace deal - ICRC
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - One year after the signing of the peace deal, violence is still pervasive in South Sudan, a global humanitarian organization said on Wednesday.
Clashes between communities threaten lives and the fragile stability, James Reynolds, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) head of delegation in South Sudan, said in a press statement.
The toll that decades of war, violence and uncertainty have had on communities is mind boggling.
The ICRC ''hopes that that the peace deal holds'', said Reynolds.
There is need for redoubling efforts needed to bring durable peace.
ICRC surgical teams continue to treat a large number of patients with gunshot wounds.
Needs of the most affected communities remain high.
''Redoubled efforts are needed to bring a durable peace," said Reynolds.
The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan was signed a year ago.
The number of patients with injuries from violence admitted to our surgical units have increased since the signing of the peace deal.
From October 2017 to June 2018, 526 patients were admitted, mostly with gunshot wounds.
The same period a year later (October 2018 to June 2019) the committee had 688, an increase of nearly 25 percent.
Violence is also impacting health centres.
ICRC teams have collected information on 24 incidents in which facilities were looted or staff threatened since the signing of the peace deal.
The incidents affecting health structures and personnel has a big negative effect on a country with few functioning healthcare facilities, the committee said.
The violence is contributing to under-development, and the closure of even one healthcare facility means communities go without care.
In South Sudan since 2011, the ICRC said the closure of healthcare facilities turns preventable,treatable diseases deadly.
Pegging its position on the situation in South Sudan on first hand experience, ICRC says there is spike in food insecurity.
The armed conflicts pits the opposition against government forces.
Thousands of those displaced in regions such as Equatoria, are unable to harvest their crops, they rely on humanitarian aid.
By Wednesday September 11, Reynolds said the committee is searching for more than 4,200 people relatives don't know their whereabouts.
There are 4 million people displaced inside the country and across its borders.
The general public has an easy access to guns, further threatening security in the country.
-0- PANA DJ/VAO 11Sept2019
