Aid agencies laud ceasefire deal in S. Sudan, decry sufferings

NAIROBI. Over 50 major international aid agencies have welcomed a ceasefire agreement signed in Ethiopia last week between the South Sudanese government and rebels. In a joint statement received in Nairobi on Monday, the 55 humanitarian organisations also expressed their deep concern about the current humanitarian situation in the country, hoping that a ceasefire deal will lead to a swift reduction in the suffering of civilians “We call upon all parties to the conflict to allow unimpeded humanitarian access, and to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of our staff,” said Caroline Boyd, Medair’s Country Director. The agencies called upon all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, to refrain from targeting attacks on civilian areas, and to distinguish between civilians and combatants. “The humanitarian imperative means that we seek to provide assistance to any civilians who may need it,” said Wendy Taeuber, Country Director of the International Rescue Committee. “Collectively, we want to be able to help all people in need, wherever they may be located in South Sudan and regardless of who is controlling that area.” However, the NGOs emphasised that in order to be able to provide assistance to those who need it, it is essential that all actors recognise the independence of NGOs, and ensure respect and protection for their staff, assets, facilities and humanitarian activities. “Violence against aid-workers is always unacceptable and any restrictions on the movements or activities of NGOs simply hinder us from providing vital assistance to those South Sudanese who need it most,” Save the Children Country Director Alan Paul said. “Sadly, at least three aid-workers, all South Sudanese nationals, have been killed since December, 15, 2013,” Paul added in the statement. The cessation of hostilities agreement seeks to ease a political dispute in the world’s youngest nation between President Kiir and his former deputy, Machar, who was removed from office in July of 2013 and later accused of attempting a coup. The tensions escalated on December 15 last year into a full- scale conflict between forces loyal to either side, driving 500, 000 people from their homes and leaving twice as many in dire need of aid. South Sudan government’s refusal to release the detainees was a sticking point in the peace talks. However, the government later said that the detainees will be given amnesty after they are taken to court to answer individual charges. “Access is urgently needed as the rainy season will be starting in just a few months, which will make it difficult to transport supplies and leave some locations entirely cutoff,” Mercy Corps’ Country Director Mathieu Rouquette said. The NGOs reiterated that their neutrality means they are separate from any military actor or party to the conflict, and they maintain impartiality by providing assistance on the basis of need alone. “Although some NGOs are currently providing assistance to displaced people seeking shelter within UNMISS bases, we are maintaining our independence and respecting humanitarian principles as separate entities from UNMISS,” said Emilie Poisson, Country Director of ACTED. Last week, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said it hopes for an end to the fighting following the signing of the agreement as it’s poised to seize any window of opportunity to deliver food assistance to areas that have been difficult to reach. “We hope that the signing of an agreement in Addis will bring fighting to a stop and allow WFP and other humanitarian agencies to provide urgently needed relief to the people affected by this conflict,” WFP Country Director Chris Nikoi said. So far, the WFP has assisted some 178,000 people displaced as a result of the crisis, distributing food in many locations, including Juba, Bentiu, Bor, Malakal, Leer, Mingkaman, Yirol East, Yirol West, Mabior, and Aweng.