100,000 sheltering in UN Mission's bases in South Sudan

, July 4: The UN Mission in South

(UNMISS) has reported that nearly 100,000 people are seeking protection in its bases across the country, and the number is likely to remain high, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

"Humanitarian partners are working together with UNMISS to improve the situation, wherever possible, both by improving the situation in existing sites and by creating new sites that will decongest the current, improvised protection sites," Xinhua quoted UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric as saying at a daily news briefing.

"For example, two-thirds of the displaced almost 12,000 people at the UN base in Malakal have already moved into a new site. In Juba, relocations have begun to a new site that is ready to welcome up to 13,300 people."

The mission also said that given the security situation and the projected deterioration of the food security situation, the number of displaced people in UNMISS bases is expected to remain high over the coming months, Dujarric said.

Meanwhile, UNMISS voiced particular concern about the situation in Bentiu, where 100-200 displaced people continue to arrive daily, many of whom are malnourished. There are sanitary and health concerns given how crowded the base is.

The mission took the unprecedented decision to open its gates to all unarmed civilians facing an imminent threat of physical violence when the crisis in South Sudan erupted last December. Despite a cessation of hostilities signed by the parties, peace and stability have yet to be restored to the extent that the internally displaced persons feel safe enough to return to their homes.

IANS