Amidst clashes and floods in Upper Nile, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Deputy Head visits displaced persons – African Business

Humanitarian needs have increased exponentially following the violence in Tonga, Upper Nile Region of South Sudan. Tens of thousands were forced to flee.

In the wake of this unprecedented crisis, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) – who is also the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the world’s newest nation – visited Adidyang, an area where nearly 4,000 displaced persons are temporarily seeking refuge.

Upon landing in the state capital, Malakal, Ms. Nyanti’s first order of business was meeting authorities to ensure that a humanitarian corridor can be established enabling the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes to provide much-needed relief to the newly displaced.

“This unfolding situation requires collaborations among all stakeholders, and I urge our partners in the government to allow humanitarian workers safe passage to provide aid to those who need it the most,” she said.

Ms. Nyanti also raised the issue of severe flooding in the state. This impacts the support that international friends can provide to communities at large.

For Teresa Joseph, a newly displaced woman, recent conflict has another dimension—children being separated from their families.

“It has been a difficult situation for women and children. Many elderly people and young children are, as yet, unaccounted for,” she revealed.

But speaking with DSRSG Nyanti seemed like a sign of hope for Teresa.

“We understand that UNMISS and humanitarian partners are doing all they can to help us. We appreciate this,” she stated simply.

Nyawanga Aban notes that humanitarian aid is the top priority for newly displaced people.

“We need tents to shelter from the rain,” she said. “Our children are cold and wet; we abandoned our homes with only the clothes on our back. We need support to rebuild our lives.”

Ms. Nyanti was visibly moved both by these testimonies as well as the situation on ground.

“I saw destitute men, women, and children. I saw destitute youth. People are searching for help and losing their hope. Some of them walked for 10 days and some of them lost their children,” she revealed.

“People have been running for their lives and they are tired. There is an urgent need for peace here so that this crisis can be overcome and development can begin.”

The DSRSG’s visit to Adidiyang also shed light on a critical issue: Reduced donor funding for South Sudan.

“We are currently underfunded for South Sudan. The situation in Adidiyang poses a new challenge, which was not planned. Prevailing insecurity doesn’t help humanitarians who are working 24/7 to reach the most vulnerable. Protection is a major concern,” she stated.

UNMISS peacekeepers conducted a riverine patrol to Adidiyang yesterday in order to assess protection needs. They are still monitoring the security situation.

Ms. Nyanti was accompanied by humanitarian partners from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); the International Organization for Migration (IOM); the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR); the World Food Programme (WFP); the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO); as well as members of the diplomatic community.

Distributed by APO Group, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).