HIGHLIGHTS
• On 8 June, violence erupted at the UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) Site in Malakal.
• Mobile teams are responding to people in their sites of displacement with health and nutrition support, while fixed services are being expanded for better access.
• Some of the IDPs have relocated back to the PoC while others have settled in Malakal town.
• There are significant gaps in resources that impact the proportion of support to people in need.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
On the morning of June 8, violent clashes broke out in the UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) Site in Malakal, triggered by a stabbing incident involving a young boy. This incident followed a previous killing in the PoC the week prior. The clashes resulted in large-scale displacement from the PoC site, with some people moving temporarily to the surrounding areas and others to Malakal town.
Currently, the general security situation in Malakal town and inside the POC is calm. However, there are ongoing rumours of mobilization, potential attacks, and security incidents that continue to create anxiety and uncertainty in the town.
Following dialogue with the community leadership and youth leadership, some of the IDPs have relocated back to the PoC while an estimated 6,000 IDPs have remained in Malakal town. The IDPs who chose to remain in Malakal town are currently living in at least five sites in makeshift settlements in very poor conditions.
Over 25,000 people who arrived from Sudan have expressed their intention to remain in Malakal town as a primary destination, according to the information they share as they cross the border. However, many people change their intention once they move. Protection teams across Upper Nile State reported arrivals to Panyikang, Fashoda, Nasir,
Manyo, Ulang, and Melut counties. In addition, there are IDPs who arrived in Malakal town from previous crises and were displaced from Fangak and Akobo counties in Jonglei state who continue to require significant support to survive.
The combination of these factors has put an enormous amount of pressure on the community and infrastructure which exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. These vulnerable people continue to require urgent life-saving assistance.
In the POC, the violence impacted some of the socio-economic activities in the PoC with a visible reduction of foodstuff and essential commodities in the market. Reportedly, some suppliers are no longer providing commodities.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.