Over 30,000 displaced South Sudanese under UN protection

As at August 13, an estimated 37,200 are at United Nations protection of civilians (PoC) sites across South Sudan due to the renewed violence that created insecurity and hunger.

The International Office of Migration (IOM) said in a statement on Wednesday after it conducted a population count in the sites.

“The population count is important for the delivery of services, particularly food assistance. The exercise will improve planning for humanitarian assistance and enable the UN World Food Programme to provide food for the full population registered at the site,” it said.

The IOM indicated that the majority of the displaced civilians fled when the violence erupted in 2013 and an additional number joined when the violence resumed in July.

Most of the IDPs are in the capital Juba while others are in Bentiu, Malakal, Wau, Bor and Melut.

“The fighting in Juba in July displaced at least 15,000 people, of which more than 12,500 remain displaced at the UN House PoC site, UNMISS peacekeeping base in Tong Ping and collective centres,” IOM added.