20 January 2012 – A top UN official confirmed today that more than 120,000 people affected by recent violence in Jonglei State – twice that of two weeks ago -- might need emergency assistance.

"The violence in Jonglei hasn't stopped," said UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan Lise Grande. "Only two weeks ago we launched a massive emergency operation to help 60,000 people. As a result of recent attacks, we now estimate that double that number will need help."

Fighting between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities escalated sharply in late December, resulting in casualties, destruction of property as well as livelihoods and causing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in the state's Pibor County.

Beginning on 28 December, retaliatory attacks were launched on communities in Akobo, Uror and Duk counties. The most recent attack took place on 16 January, when 80 people were reportedly killed and 300 houses burnt in Duk County, according to local authorities.

A humanitarian response and coordination hub has been established in Pibor town, where 15 humanitarian organizations are working to repair water points and provide food, household items, emergency education, nutrition, protection and medical assistance. Assistance is also being provided in Gumuruk, Likuangole, Boma, and Walgak, and other villages will receive aid soon.

Already over-stretched in South Sudan before the Jonglei crisis, humanitarian partners are now supporting 30 simultaneous emergency operations in the country.

In 2011, more than 350,000 people were forced from their homes, significantly more than in 2010. Since mid-2011, tensions on the border with Sudan have also escalated, triggering fresh displacements. In May 2011, violence erupted in Abyei, displacing 110,000 people into Agok and South Sudan, where they remain displaced.

In addition, ongoing conflict in Sudan's Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states has caused about 80,000 people to flee into South Sudan since June 2011. Hundreds of new refugees continue to arrive every week.

"Operations in South Sudan are some of the most difficult and expensive in the region due to the combination of poor infrastructure and limited accessibility," Ms. Grande emphasized. "It's a race against time every year to ensure that life-saving supplies are purchased and pre-positioned before the rains arrive. These attacks have occurred at the beginning of the dry season when stocks are at their lowest."

Some $763 million is required for the Consolidated Appeal for South Sudan, which covers 271 projects spread among 110 organizations. "It is essential that this year's appeal is adequately resourced early in 2012 to ensure we meet our commitments to the people of South Sudan during the first critical year of statehood," Ms. Grande said.