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South Sudan: Visiting ICRC president calls for civilians to be protected

by International Committee of the Red Cross | International Committee of the Red Cross
Monday, 6 January 2014 12:00 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The president will visit people forced by the violence to flee their homes and will meet with government officials and representatives of humanitarian organizations, including the South Sudan Red Cross. He will focus on the suffering and distress caused by the conflict in South Sudan and on the ICRC's work to meet people's needs.

"We're very concerned about the effects on the civilian population," said Mr Maurer upon his arrival. "Tens of thousands have fled and continue to flee the fighting and there are urgent needs in many parts of the country. We're particularly alarmed by violence directed against civilians and against people no longer taking part in the hostilities. We call on the parties to the conflict in South Sudan to do their utmost to ensure these people are spared."

ICRC staff are working in many affected areas of the country. From the first clashes on 15 December, the ICRC has been supporting medical facilities by providing them with urgently needed supplies and has treated wounded people. To date it has distributed food and other essential items to over 50,000 people. 

For further information, please contact:Jake Kurtzer, ICRC Juba, tel: +211 912 360 038Anastasia Isyuk, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 251 93 02Sebastien Carliez, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 536 92 37

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