South Sudan - Almost 10,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) have moved into a new UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Malakal in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, constructed by IOM and partners, and funded by the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO.)

In April, with the rainy season looming, ECHO and IOM raced to bring site preparation equipment to Malakal to improve shelter, security and access to water, sanitation and health services for more than 20,000 IDPs seeking protection in the existing Malakal PoC site.

The heavy machinery, including tractors, trucks and excavators, were sent by air to Malakal with a mission to create a new PoC site, decongest the area and improve overall living conditions.  

IOM employed over 200 casual labourers to assist with site preparation. This included clearing the site, filling in swampy areas, digging latrines, constructing fencing and renovating roads leading to a fuel dump and a cholera treatment centre.

An estimated 1.1 million people have now been displaced throughout South Sudan since the conflict between government and opposition forces began in December 2013.

IOM operates a multi-sectoral programme in Malakal providing emergency assistance in the water, health, shelter and camp management sectors. Access to clean water is an ongoing challenge, given a recent cholera outbreak in Upper Nile State.

IOM water, sanitation and hygiene coordinator Antonio Torres Ortiz says that he is encouraged that the amount of clean water distributed in the site has increased from 7.8 to 9.2 litres per individual per day.

“But there is still a lot of work to be done in order to reach Sphere standards and to ensure that beneficiaries have access to safe water, not only to drink, but also to clean themselves and wash clothing,” he says.

For more information please contact

Jennifer Pro
IOM Juba
Email: jpro@iom.int
Tel. +211 920 885 988