IOM extends aid to conflict-affected families in South Sudan

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday that its teams are providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance, including emergency medical support, to conflict-affected families in insecure and hard-to-reach areas of South Sudan.

IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission William Barriga said in a statement that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country has now reached 1.87 million.

"Since the crisis erupted three years ago, millions of people have been unable to return to their homes. New shocks have affected both displaced and newly vulnerable populations, while placing increasing pressure on host communities and already stretched humanitarian operations," said Barriga.

He said the IOM's response teams are currently operating in the Greater Equatoria region, where people have had limited access to aid in recent months.

According to the UN migration agency, humanitarian needs increased significantly in the whole country over 2016 as the crisis spread to previously peaceful areas, including the Greater Equatoria region.

In Mundri East and West counties, Western Equatoria, an October inter-agency assessment identified 75,000 people who had been affected by months of armed clashes.

The UN agency said it was also improving local communities' access to safe drinking water and conducting hygiene promotion activities and trainings.

Through a follow-up assessment in late November, IOM identified a need for shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance.

IOM said it deployed an emergency preparedness and response team on Dec 6 to provide aid to approximately 4,000 households living in a highly volatile environment in order to reach the most vulnerable households. Endit