KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Insecurity and fighting continue to severely affect communities and impede humanitarian access across South Sudan, with violence displacing more than 687,700 people both internally and as refugees to neighboring countries as of January 23, according to the U.N. More than 76,000 people—the highest figure recorded since violence erupted on December 15—are sheltering at eight UNMISS bases throughout South Sudan, including approximately 27,000 people in Malakal town, Upper Nile, and nearly 36,000 people in the two UNMISS bases in the capital city of Juba, Tong Ping and U.N. House 3.
Recent fighting in Lakes prompted more than 100 aid workers to relocate from Mingkaman town, Awerial, to Yirol town, Yirol West County. Relief agencies have temporarily suspended humanitarian operations in Awerial, where more than 84,000 people have sought refuge following violence in Jonglei and Unity.
The security situation remains unpredictable and tense in areas affected by violence, particularly in central Unity and Upper Nile’s Malakal County. Civilians continue to flee clashes in Malakal town, with large groups of internally displaced persons (IDPs) reportedly sheltering in the town and tens of thousands of individuals arriving in surrounding areas, according to the U.N.