Malakal PoC over crowded due to surge in new arrivals: UN

By Kitab Unango

The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom, said Wednesday that Malakal Protection of Civilians site (PoC) is struggling to accommodate new waves of displaced people arriving daily.

 Haysom said the congestion has put pressure on the scarce resources available to the IDPs.

“Primarily, the responsibility is upon the government to look for alternative places as a solution to the congestion at Malakal PoC,” said Haysom.

He called on the government to provide neccessary security to gaurantee safety of IDPs to return to their homes and reconstruct their livelihoods.

As of April 2021, the camp harbored at least 34,056 individuals and the number continues to rise due to protracted violence.

Haysom said the current congestion in the camp stems from intermittent violence in Upper Nile State between December 2022 and January 2023.

He said that the peacekeeping mission continuous to offer protection services to thousands of displaced people in Bor, Wau, Bentiu and Juba.

“South Sudan remains the most dangerous place for humanitarian workers as many aid workers have been killed,” said Haysom.

More than 200 aid workers have been killed in South Sudan since outbreak of conflict in December 2013.