23 July 2013 - The World Food Programme (WFP) is launching an operation to provide food to tens of thousands of people who have fled to hard-to-reach areas after escaping violence in Pibor County, Jonglei State, the agency said today in a statement.

Clashes between government forces and insurgents as well as renewed violence between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities have forced the displaced to seek refuge in locations currently inaccessible due to insecurity and heavy rains.

"We believe these people need food now and cannot wait for much longer after hiding in the bush for weeks," said Chris Nikoi, WFP South Sudan Country Director. "We are sparing no effort to provide lifesaving assistance, but we need more food supplies in the country and more helicopters to take this food to those who most need it."

While WFP is already providing food for some displaced in areas it can reach, it urgently needed additional funds to buy more supplies and hire helicopters to transport them to civilians trapped by ongoing violence, the statement said.

The agency is requesting close to $20 million in funding for emergency assistance for 60,000 people, through to December.

In areas of Pibor County where the humanitarian community has gained access, WFP is providing food this week in Dorein, Labdab and Pibor town. It also assisted more than 4,700 people, mostly women and children, who came from villages and the bush to receive assistance in Pibor town in early July.