The living conditions of thousands of people displaced by insecurity in Yambio, Western Equatoria State was worsening, a humanitarian official said today.

“These people are suffering,” said Pastor Nathan Betuli, an official with Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA), a non-governmental organization. “Children are suffering and sleeping in the cold and women are seeking for the food by themselves, (with) no assistance given to them.”

Up to 5,000 people, mainly women and children, fled their homes following recent fighting in the state and are now taking refuge at the ADRA compound.

Unrest in Yambio broke out early this week following the arrest of youth suspects, which led to violence, in which two policemen were killed and one injured and thousands of civilians were displaced.

Pastor Betuli said although UNMISS was providing the internally displaced people (IDPs) with water which was very necessary, the people were lacking food and basic facilities like shelter and toilets.

One of the displaced women gave birth to a baby boy in a small shelter outside the ADRA compound, with assistance from a midwife working with the NGO.

Speaking to Radio Miraya, her husband, Luka Toobo, said the woman went into labour at the height of the fighting.

“We tried to run to the hospital, but there was nobody,” Mr. Toobo narrated. “We had to come back (but) when we got to ADRA, there was no space. So we suffered throughout the night up till morning.”

Later, the couple was informed about the presence of a midwife, who then assisted them.