10 February 2014 - About seven metric tons of food and non-food items arrived today in Yambio for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had fled recent violence, according to government officials.

The materials, sent by the South Sudan National Crisis Management Committee, will be distributed to 70 IDPs who are being hosted by the State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.

“We have brought food for the most vulnerable people who are affected by the current crisis,” said Lexon Wali Amuzai, Director for Relief and Food Security in the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC).

He said the aid was based on an assessment carried out by the SSRRC after the state had requested it, adding that more should be sent in future.

Mr. Amuzai stressed that the relief items were only at those who had fled areas due to violence that broke out in Juba on 15December 2013 between pro-and anti-government forces, whih rapidly spread to several other states.

The state government has been caring for the IDPs, who are mostly women and children, since the first group arrived in Yambio early last month.

Western Equatoria has remained peaceful since conflict broke out in the country, with the governor calling for peace and co-existence among state residents.