South Sudan - Midway into 2015 and 19 months since the crisis in South Sudan began, humanitarian concerns within South Sudan are as pressing as ever. With over 2.1 million people having been forced from their homes and 4.6 million severely food insecure, IOM and other humanitarians are struggling to keep pace with the unprecedented and expanding needs of the displaced and vulnerable in South Sudan.

The renewal of armed conflict in May and June of this year has resulted in thousands of deaths, further displacement and the destruction of livelihoods such as farms, schools, and medical clinics. The scale of the crisis has deepened and increased insecurity resulting in reduced humanitarian access to vulnerable communities.

IOM in South Sudan has released the 2015 Midyear Consolidated Appeal, developed in line with UNOCHA led multi-agency Humanitarian Response Plan. The 122 million dollar appeal highlights IOM South Sudan 2015 achievements thus far and charts the way forward for IOM’s humanitarian programming for the rest of the calendar year. IOM teams in South Sudan continue to provide emergency shelter, health, displacement tracking, water, sanitation, IDP site development and coordination.

“Presently 138,800 people are sheltering in UN bases throughout the country,” says IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission David Derthick. “The needs throughout the country are immense, though Upper Nile and Unity state where fighting continues to displace communities are of high concern. With little choice for secure spaces, families continue to arrive to Protection of Civilian sites (PoC) to seek protection, shelter and services.”

The IOM Bentiu PoC clinic is now providing over 2,000 medical consultations per week, more than double the amount of consultations being conducted in April. The increase is largely the result of new arrivals and enhanced maternal and child care services made available by the IOM medical team.

To access the entire appeal, please visit http://southsudan.iom.int/2015/06/18/iom-south-sudan-launches-the-mid-year-review-of-the-2015-consolidated-appeal/

For further information please contact Ashley McLaughlin, IOM South Sudan, Tel:+211 922 405 716,  Email: amclaughlin@iom.int, Website: http://southsudan.iom.int/