Malteser provides aid to South Sudan refugees amid renewed violence

Renewed outbreaks of violence in South Sudan are forcing thousands of people to flee their homes once again.

Malteser International, the aid agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta, is providing essential supplies such as food and water to over 5,000 internally displaced persons fleeing new violence in the Wau region of the country's northwest. An estimated 90,000 people, many already multiple times displaced, have been forced to leave their homes due to the latest clashes. Approximately 40,000 displaced individuals are now in camps in Wau, with another 40,000 to 50,000 scattered across surrounding villages.

"We repeatedly observe outbreaks of violence in various regions of the country. Just two weeks ago, we had to relocate our facility in Wau to the UN premises in the city to ensure the safety of our staff. They have since resumed their operations," stated Dr. Justin Sauter, emergency aid coordinator for Malteser International in South Sudan. The organization is focusing on distributing vital food supplies and drilling new wells to provide access to safe drinking water.

Malteser International has been active in South Sudan since 1996, implementing a sustainable food security program in the Wau region since October 2014. In total, more than 2.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes in South Sudan, despite a peace agreement signed in August 2015. The organization is urging all parties to cease hostilities immediately and is calling on the international community to support the nation's stabilization and reconciliation efforts across its ethnic groups.