IOM with the support of the UN Mission in the Republic of South
Sudan (UNMISS) has airlifted 5,000 mosquito nets, 5,000 blankets
and other non-food items to an estimated 3,500 Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) who have fled their homes in the Southern state of
Jonglei following fighting between two warring tribes sparked by
cattle rustling.

According to government officials, fighting on 18th August, 2011
between Murle and Lou Nuer caused the deaths of 600 persons and the
abduction of 208 children. In addition, 250,000 persons have been
made homeless as a result of looting and the torching of 7,924
houses.

As a result, displaced women, children, elderly and sick are now
living in the open in six makeshift camps at Pieri, Pathai, Yuai,
Mutot, Karaam and Pulchol, all in the Jonglei state without any
protection from heavy rains that continue to affect many parts of
Southern Sudan.

IOM staff says the makeshift camps, which are made of straw and
tree branches, lack basic health and hygiene facilities, which
increases the risk of disease outbreaks during the on-going rainy
season.

"Aid organizations are faced with many challenges to provide
humanitarian assistance to the displaced," says IOM's Gerry Waite
in Juba. "The few roads passable during the dry season have been
swamped by heavy rains, rendering many affected areas
inaccessible."

Insecurity caused by militia attacks on humanitarian personnel,
their vehicles and car-jackings, means that many humanitarian
organizations are unable to operate in Jonglei state.

Another security hazard is caused by landmines which were left
behind following a twenty-year civil war which ended with the
signing of the peace agreement in 2005.

The IOM airlift, which is carried out by UNMISS helicopters and
coordinated with Save the Children and the Polish Humanitarian
Action has delivered assistance to the isolated villages of Mutot,
Pulchuol and Karaam, which have so far not been reached by aid
organizations and are host to some 12,000 IDPs.

More airlifts are planned for the other locations in the coming
days.

For more information, please contact:

Gerard Waite

IOM Juba

Tel: +249922406615

E-mail: "mailto:gwaite@iom.int">gwaite@iom.int