Sudan

More than 100,000 affected by LRA attacks

Article published on the 2009-03-13 Latest update 2009-03-13 17:58 TU

Men holding the south Sudanese flag
(Photo: Reuters)

On Friday the UN humanitarian organisation said that more than 100,000 people in south Sudan need humanitarian aid after attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army. They warn that they are quickly approaching their capacity, and could be stretched further by Darfuris who are moving into southern Sudan after the expulsion of aid agencies.

The LRA attacked the area, after a joint operation by forces from Uganda, southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, targeted their jungle hideouts in north eastern DRC.

“The impact is huge, there are 16,000 refugees, from DRC, that have crossed the border into southern Sudan […] and they are seeking safe haven from the attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army,” says Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan.

More aid, including extra seeds and farming tools are needed to help those affected.

“In addition to that, the attacks have led to more than 36,000 Sudanese being displaced from their home communities,” Grande told RFI.

Another 50,000 people in host communities are also affected, as refugees and internally displaced people seek a safe place to live.

The UN said around 100 people were killed, while other reports suggest up to 150 people have been wounded, and around 2,000 cattle stolen in raids.

South Sudan, a semi-autonomous region, has not been directly affected by the withdrawal of aid organisations, following the International Criminal Court’s indictment of President Omar al-Beshir and their subsequent explusion.

But Grande said that the UN were preparing for an influx of Darfuris into south Sudan following the removal of humanitarian aid. She added that they could quickly reach the capacity of their operation.