10 February 2014 - More than 75,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mingkaman camp were living in dire health conditions, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator said during a visit to Awerial County in Lakes State today.

“It is such an undignified situation for people, and it really moves me,” said Toby Lanzer, who is also the Deputy Representative of the Secretary-General. “I hope everyone engaged in political talks in Addis Ababa (will ensure) that the cessation of hostilities is as successful as possible.”

Mr. Lanzer said the UN and other aid agencies would continue to support the South Sudanese people by providing basic needs to keep them alive and healthy.

The humanitarian coordinator, accompanied by heads of diplomatic missions and UN agencies, said 3.7 million people in the country were in desperate need of food and other assistance.

He called on international donor communities to be generous in support for the South Sudanese people, despite their humanitarian roles in other conflict-torn parts of the world like Syria and the Central African Republic.

Dutch Ambassador to South Sudan Kees Van Baar said his government would continue to support humanitarian efforts to respond to the conflict.

“We are also looking … to help people in (the Jonglei State capital) Bor who would need to return home,” he said. “So far for this crisis, we have given five million euros.”

Awerial County Commissioner Deng Tong appreciated the support of aid agencies for the IDPs at Mingkaman.

“I want to thank the NGOs that are here,” he said. “They have done their part (in giving) IDPs services like food, shelter and medicine. We as a local authority have also done our part by providing them with a land for resettlement. The area is good (with) no floods.”

Mr. Tong noted that there were still IDPs coming to the county from Jonglei State. He also appealed for assistance for about 35,000 other displaced people in areas north of Mingkaman like Kalthok, Awho and Wunthou.