NRC has a permanent presence in Leer, Unity State, and has been operating a mobile response in the state providing food and other forms of humanitarian aid for the last year. NRC teams are deeply saddened by unfolding events.
“This is the latest blow to a community that has experienced a 17 month long war, which has destroyed families, livelihoods and markets. NRC is worried about the ability of communities to continue to experience such traumatic violence,” said Lisa Monaghan, Protection and Advocacy Advisor at the Norwegian Refugee Council in South Sudan.
“There must be an immediate end to the violence towards civilians and humanitarian workers and a general cessation of hostilities. This needs to be followed by genuine efforts towards a peace agreement”, she added.
NRC calls on the parties to the conflict to refrain from the targeting of civilians and aid workers and allow for continued support to affected communities that remain in dire need of assistance.
“The local national staff is still operating in Leer. We are in constant touch with them and will do what is needed as the situation unfolds”, said Helen Omana of NRC in Leer.
Since the beginning of the South Sudan fighting, Unity State has been the worst hit by the conflict as violence forced the local populations to spend months in the wild as the county remained the centre of confrontation. In 2014, Norwegian Refugee Council opened a field office in Leer and has since then been providing education, food security and shelter programmes.
For more information and comments, please contact Head of media and communication, Tuva Raanes Bogsnes. Mob: +47 93231883 E-mail: tubo@nrc.no