UN Demands Real Action, Not Words, on South Sudan Aid Access

(JUBA) – The United Nations has warned that it will hold South Sudan’s government accountable for promises to improve humanitarian access, saying that only real action on the ground will be accepted.

“We are not interested in just words and statements. We want to see real action,” Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told media after meeting President Salva Kiir and senior officials during a visit to South Sudan.

Mr Fletcher said the government had given public assurances to allow greater humanitarian access, particularly to areas of active fighting in Upper Nile and Jonglei states. He said protection of civilians and the safety of aid workers would be key areas of follow up:

“We will hold them to account for delivering on that access.” 

The UN has raised repeated concerns over attacks on aid workers, stating that their security is essential for life saving operations.

Mr Fletcher spoke after visiting Malakal and Akobo, where he said the scale of humanitarian needs was severe. He described large crowds of displaced people, many surviving on leaves.

Health facilities are struggling to cope with trauma cases, including civilians with gunshot wounds that have led to amputations. At Akobo County Hospital, medical staff are overwhelmed by the growing caseload and shortages of supplies, he said.

He called for urgent deliveries of food, medical assistance and shelter materials along access routes that have recently opened or are being negotiated.

Mr Fletcher also expressed concern about the protection situation, particularly for women and girls, warning of a worrying increase in sexual violence.

South Sudan’s humanitarian response comes at a time of severe global funding constraints. Mr Fletcher said the UN aims to raise about one billion US Dollars to provide life saving assistance to more than four million people in the country.

That amount is equivalent to about 6.5 trillion South Sudanese Pounds at the current market rate of 6,500 SSP to the dollar. He said the effort is part of a broader push to prioritise the most urgent needs.

The organisation is also restructuring its operations to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy and shift more resources and decision making to field teams and local partners.

Regional instability is adding to the pressure. Mr Fletcher warned that the war in neighbouring Sudan, where more than 20 million people need assistance, risks spilling over through displacement, arms flows and rising political tensions.

But he said the conflict in Sudan should not be used as a justification for continued violence in South Sudan. “That conflict is not an alibi for conflict here. This is a very solvable conflict,” he said.

Despite the worsening humanitarian situation, Mr Fletcher said the UN remained committed to the country:

“Our commitment to the people of South Sudan is rock solid,” he said.

He added that the organisation would continue to push for peace and deliver life saving assistance while working to ensure that commitments made by authorities turn into action on the ground.