The ICRC warns of deteriorating health conditions in South Sudan

The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Friday that the conflict in South Sudan has put pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

According to the organization, this was due to an influx of returnees and refugees fleeing the fighting in Sudan.

Patrick Youssef, ICRC regional director for Africa, said poor health conditions are expected to worsen due to the large number of people arriving in South Sudan as the conflict in neighboring Sudan escalates.

“My fear is that the influx has put additional pressure on already existing health care problems. If you look at the healthcare facilities, they are largely run by international organizations or local organizations, and if the funding stops, they cannot continue such operations,” Mr Youssef told journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

He said South Sudan is still recovering from years of conflict but is now facing the consequences of the conflict, with hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee to South Sudan.

“All this comes at a time when ongoing conflicts around the world are putting additional strain on humanitarian resources, while needs have not diminished,” Mr Youssef added.

During his five-day visit to Malakal town in Upper Nile State, Akobo and Diel areas in Jonglei State, he met with affected communities, government officials, key humanitarian actors and relevant organizations.

The ICRC official also met with First Vice President Riek Machar, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Albino Akol Atak, and diplomatic representatives.

The official said their meeting was intended to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country and the limited resources available to respond to it.

“The humanitarian situation in South Sudan is dire due to conflict and intercommunal violence, exacerbated by a lack of infrastructure, widespread food insecurity, destruction of agricultural land, displacement, harsh weather conditions and limited access to basic services,” Youssef said.

He noted that the country’s scarce resources are being further strained by the combined effects of economic instability and the influx of more than 650,000 people fleeing conflict in Sudan.

Mr Youssef called on the Transitional Unity Government to leverage financing to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation, saying humanitarian organizations cannot do this alone.

The government of South Sudan recently imposed taxes on fuel and other aid deliveries, forcing the UN Mission in South Sudan and other UN agencies to reduce humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.

Mr Youssef said the ICRC needs the government’s support to effectively carry out its mission.

“However, the recent introduction of new fees, levies and taxes by the Government of South Sudan will increase the costs of humanitarian operations and further limit the resources available to assist the affected population,” he said.

(Xinhua/NAN)