10 March 2014 - The UN refugee agency was concerned about Upper Nile State, where insecurity had prevented delivery of food and other relief items to vulnerable people, a spokesperson for the organization said in Geneva recently.

Adrian Edwards said security conditions had hindered efforts to reach refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and, increasingly, host communities since February.

“It has been impossible to deliver food … which is leading to severe malnutrition (and) recent severe cases among children have us particularly worried at the risks of prolonged disruption,” he said. "Unless food is delivered immediately, the health and nutrition status of refugees will become severely compromised.”

Mr. Edwards noted that one third of vulnerable groups consisted of children below five years of age, pregnant and lactating women, older people, those living with disability and the chronically ill.

“As the rains start, normally in April, vulnerability to water-borne diseases, malaria and respiratory tract infections will increase,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson added.

According to recent UNHCR reports, there have been several cases of severe malnutrition among very young children in refugee camps.

Mr. Edwards said the current dry season made it difficult to grow food to supplement World Food Programme rations.

"Food shortages could, moreover, lead to conflict between refugees and host communities foraging for wild fruits and vegetables,” he said. “Already, we have seen tensions over grazing lands and open water sources."