AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - People are dying of hunger in Unity State, those who can, flee in search of safety

Yirol (Agenzia Fides) - "The last time an African country experienced such a dramatic 'state of famine' was 6 years ago, in Somalia. The tragedy of famine has been hitting South Sudan, Unity State for over a month, where there are about 100 thousand people, bordering the Lakes, and where we have been working for almost ten years". This is what don Dante Carraro, Director of Doctors with Africa CUAMM told Fides.
"The consequences of drought and famine, which since last year have been hitting these areas, have worsened because of the increased and widespread insecurity that pervades the Country and undermines work, activities and trust of families and local communities. When poverty does not allow you to feed your children people use weapons and also do what they would not do in a normal situation. Communication is blocked, transport is impossible, there are no seeds and food. And now people are beginning to starve. First goats and cows, followed by children and mothers, then the elderly and finally young people and adults. People who do not die, escape. From Unity State they flee to inland areas of the Country, further south, in the State of the Lakes or outside the Country, to the east, Ethiopia. The social and political situation is fragile. But the situation of the population, especially mothers and children, is dramatic", continues don Dante.
"We CUAMM welcome and take charge of those who manage to escape and reach further south, to the State of the Lakes: mothers, children and families seeking shelter, food and care in hospitals of Cuibet, Rumbek, Yirol and various health centers scattered on territory, where thousands of people are starving. We need food assistance and health care, medicines, equipment and staff. We call on the United Nations to intervene by supporting the activities from Juba", concluded don Dante. (DC/AP) (Agenzia Fides 23/03/2017)

Share: