According to Céline Lefebvre, Handicap International’s head of mission in South Sudan, the fighting still raging in several towns this week has led to further population displacements. The organisation has set up a team in one of the capital’s camps to cater for the needs of the most vulnerable individuals.
“I saw more families arriving in one of the camps in the capital, Juba, only yesterday. Some were carrying everything they could manage in a wheelbarrow. I also saw people with disabilities who had travelled this far to escape the fighting. Living conditions are extremely harsh, it’s very hot - more than 40° - and hygiene conditions are very poor,” explains Céline, Handicap International’s head of mission. The fighting has continued this week in Bor, and intensified even further in Malakal, in the north of the country, heightening the vulnerability of displaced people. More than 410,000 people have been internally displaced, including 100,000 in Jonglei State alone. Around 75,000 people have taken refuge in neighbouring countries.
“We have set up a disability and vulnerability focal point, in a camp in Juba where more than 12,000 displaced people live. We’ll use it to identify the most vulnerable people, such as the injured, pregnant women, older people and people with disabilities. They’re very fragile; they often find it hard to move around and don’t know who to turn to, so they really need aid that’s adapted to them. We can receive them, evaluate their needs and point them to other services or even case-manage them ourselves. Over the next few days, we’re going to hand out 250 'injury packages', with the help of a nurse, so that people with injuries, who left the hospital, will have the equipment they need to care for light wounds, including bandages, disinfectant, small scissors, etc.”
Compromised security
A team headed by a physiotherapist will organise rehabilitation sessions for the most vulnerable people and the injured to speed their recovery. Handicap International is also planning to hand out 500 'protection packages' to women, including a radio to help them keep up with the news, a torch to move around at night, and a whistle to call for help. These simple items are vital for people living in conditions of extreme poverty in a region where security has been severely compromised.
Despite the difficulties to get supplies, Handicap International is currently transporting mobility aids from one of its bases to this camp in Juba. These aids include crutches, white canes and walking frames. The organisation will also distribute wheelchairs in the imminent or close future. “We’re also working with other humanitarian organisations to be sure that they take the needs of people with disabilities into account in their relief efforts,” continues Céline. “We point out how important it is to provide specific care to people who are extremely fragile.”
Handicap International’s emergency response is supported by a dedicated team of five expatriate staff members and its national teams.