The Bishop of the Episcopal church of South Sudan in Yei diocese is desperately pleading with the country’s leaders to bring peace to Yei.

“All I beg for is peace this coming Christmas,” pleads Bishop Hillary Adeba Luate, adding that “there is nothing I can ask from the people who started the conflict but to beg for peace.”

UN refugee agency, UNHCR says ongoing military operations in Yei have trapped up to 100,000 people in the southern town that is now facing a humanitarian crisis.

Bishop Luate describes the security situation as ‘disturbing’, with recent reports of more than 10 people being brutally killed and their bodies burned. 

Bishop Luate said it is difficult to ascertain who is behind the killings, adding that the murders are mainly being perpetrated in the village areas. 

On the humanitarian situation, Bishop Luate said the UN World Food Program has started distributing food assistance, greatly relieving the desperate situation.

“We were very happy last week when WFP started distributing food, I could see people smiling happily carrying their food,” he said.

The security situation in the Southern town deteriorated rapidly after renewed conflict broke out in Juba in early July.