13 March 2014 - Rapidly increasing numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Melut County, Upper Nile State, were in urgent need of assistance, representatives of an assessment team said recently.

The statement followed a visit on 10 March by UNMISS, UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Vision, MEDAIR, OXFAM and the World Food Programme to gauge the humanitarian situation in the area.

There are currently about 15,000 IDPs in Dithoma I and II camps, which were established by the government, and some 1,300 IDPs seeking refuge at the UNMISS base in Melut.

The displaced people fled to the county from Malakal, Manyo, Panyikang, Fashoda and Baliet counties in Upper Nile and from Pigi County in Jonglei State during the ongoing crisis.

Guided by Melut, Baliet and Pigi county commissioners, the assessment team visited Dithoma I and II IDP camps and the protection of civilian site at the Melut UNMISS base.

“We went to Melut to assess the growing humanitarian concerns following an influx of IDPs in the county and we agreed there is need to act urgently,” said UNMISS Return, Reintegration and Peacebuilding section team leader Tito Awando.

“Currently there are only two agencies providing support – Medicines Sans Frontieres providing health services and IOM providing water, sanitation and hygiene services,” he added.

Melut County Commissioner Akue Ateng Ding said the government was unable to provide vitally needed food and non-food items for increasing number of IDPs at Dithoma I and II camps. He called for immediate humanitarian assistance.

Martin Michael, one of the IDPs, said he and his family had walked four days from Malakal to Melut. They had faced various challenges, including people dying along the way.

“It was terrible,” he said. “We did not have enough food and water … the situation was very tough, especially for children.”