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As the security situation continues to rapidly deteriorate, relief organisation Medair calls on all parties to the conflict to grant safe and unrestricted access to its life-saving work.
Over the last few days, the volatile situation in Maban, Upper Nile state, has limited the movement of Medair teams, resulting in greater challenges to provide aid to people who need it most.
Medair has been working closely with local communities in providing emergency health care, clean water, and sanitation and hygiene support to more than 60,000 men, women, and children in Maban’s Bunj town and Yusuf Batil Camp.
But increased violence and harassment towards civilians and aid workers is putting Medair’s aid efforts at risk.
“We are calling on those involved in this conflict to grant us safe and unrestricted access so we can continue our work,” said Anne Reitsema, Medair’s Country Director for South Sudan. “The violence is jeopardising the lives of thousands of people we serve in Batil Camp and Bunj Town who count on us for providing clean drinking water and medical care for their survival.”
As peace talks resume in Addis Ababa, Medair is hopeful a resolution to the conflict will soon be found.
“We face daily challenges to adapt to every changing situation in South Sudan,” added Anne. “But in this very difficult context, Medair is committed to responding to those in need. I am heartened to see how well different aid organisations collaborate to help the most vulnerable during this difficult time.”
Medair has been present in South Sudan since 1992 assisting thousands of affected people through nutrition, health, water and sanitation, and emergency shelter.
For media, contact: Abigail Woodcock (English) abigail.woodcock@medair.org, +41 (0)21 694 84 72 or +41 (0)78 635 30 95
For inquiries and interviews from South Sudan, please contact Wendy van Amerongen, Communications Officer (Dutch, English) comms-sds@medair.org, +211 (0)927 475 150
Recent photos of Medair’s work are available for use upon request.
Medair’s South Sudan programme is supported by the EC Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, the United States Agency for International Development, Common Humanitarian Fund, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and private donors.
For more information on Medair’s South Sudan programme, click here.
Medair helps people who are suffering in remote and devastated communities around the world survive crises, recover with dignity, and develop skills to build a better future.
