JUBA: A surge of fighting in eastern South Sudan has forced 60 aid workers to flee, the UN humanitarian agency said Saturday, hurting efforts to help civilians in the famine-hit nation. An increase in violence has seen thousands flee in the past two weeks, including more than 16,000 from the second-largest city of Wau — above 10 per cent of its population. The UN humanitarian agency OCHA warned that helping the needy was growing ever more dangerous after three people involved in delivering food aid were brutally killed in Wau this week.
“There are no words left to explain the level of frustration and outrage I feel regarding the continued attacks against humanitarians in South Sudan who are simply trying to help the civilians who are suffering as a result of this conflict,” said OCHA coordinator Eugene Owusu in a statement. “Separately, 60 humanitarian workers have had to relocate from multiple locations in Jonglei yesterday and today — including Waat and Walgak — due to intensified conflict in the area.” The outbreak of violence in Jonglei region comes after clashes in southern Pajok and western Wau in the past two weeks. — AFP
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