South Sudan – Displacement/Conflict (ECHO, IOM, OCHA) (ECHO Daily Flash of 6 July 2016)

Fighting erupted in Wau (Western Bar el Ghazal) on 24 June and resulted in the killing of hundreds of people according to yet unverified reports. Because of the fighting, more than 88 000 people have been displaced in Wau town and the surrounding bush.

The international community called on the fighting forces to cease hostilities and to grant UNMISS (United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan) and humanitarian agencies unhindered access in Wau town and the countryside.

It is estimated that 42 000 people are displaced within Wau town itself. The UNMISS Protection of Civilians (PoC) site which was hosting 219 IDPs on 23 June and is now hosting more than 19 000 people. Humanitarian partners are responding to the most urgent needs with existing funding being adapted to respond to this emergency.

ECHO joined a humanitarian assessment mission to Wau on 30 June. Meetings held with IDPs' representatives highlighted the urgency of the needs with pleas for protection. In this regard, UNMISS has been requested to expand the PoC premises and re-start long-range patrols to fulfil its protection of civilians' mandate and allow IDPs hiding in the bush to access safest places.