South Sudan: UN Agencies Reach More than Half a Million People with Life-saving Aid

South Sudan: UN Agencies Reach More than Half a Million People with Life-saving Aid

南蘇丹：聯合國機構為五十萬余人提供生命救援

Two United Nations agencies have reached more than half a million people， including 100，000 children under the age of five， in the most remote and conflict-hit areas of South Sudan with life-saving supplies and services.

Using a combination of airdrops and airlifts， the joint emergency mission carried out by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delivered food assistance and nutrition supplements， well as health support， learning materials and water， sanitation and hygiene supplies.

Both agencies also provided nutrition screening and treatment， as well as information and messages on nutrition， according to a news release issued today. They also assist with reunification for children who are separated from their families， or unaccompanied.

“These missions reach people who have been fleeing for their lives，” said Jonathan Veitch， UNICEF Representative in South Sudan. “They have lost or left everything behind， and their relief that someone has finally come to help， and not harm， is palpable.”

With support from logistics and telecommunications specialists， the teams provide a lifeline to desperate communities in the three conflict-affected states -- Jonglei， Upper Nile and Unity.

The teams stay in each location from 8 to 11 days， carrying all their own supplies， including food， water and tents. Based on their assessment of the needs of the local population， which can be up to nearly 50，000 people per mission， the teams radio for supplies to be delivered by air.

Missions can be delayed by bad weather， which disrupts flights and causes dirt airstrips to flood， and insecurity is a constant challenge， the agencies noted. But once a team has reached an area to establish a humanitarian response， non-governmental partners are frequently able to remain and provide ongoing assistance.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=48962#.VDzhHdIYDbo