Health Cluster Response Plan January to June 2014
A. Background and current Crisis Context
Violence is raging on after the initial break out in Juba on 15 December, and quickly spread ing to other locations including Bor, Malakal and Bentiu in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states respec tively. Heavy fighting continues to be reported in these areas between Government and opposit ion forces. Lakes and Warrap states have been indirectly affected by the violence, as people displaced from neighboring states have arrived there seeking safety.
Exact numbers are difficult to establish but initial estimate s indicate that as of 24th January Close to 90,000 people have been displaced by the conflict since December, including 575,000 people who have remained inside South Sudan and 112,000 people who have fled to neighbouring countries. Given the scale and intensity of the violence , the real number is likely to be much higher, with hundreds of thousands of people impacted by the crisis. Some6 ,000 people have so far sought protection from the violence in UN peacekeeping bases, with the largest concentrations in Bentiu, Bor, Juba an d Malakal. Another estimated,000 people have sought refuge in areas of Awerial County , where aid agencies are responding to the needs .
Though the number of casualties cannot be confirmed, it is likely to be in the thousands. The first days of fighting in Juba alone led to about 300 wounded. Both members of armed forces and civilians have been killed and injured, including women and children. Up to 7.2 million people are now at risk of needing humanitarian as sistance, both in areas directly struck by violence and in the country as a whole, where food insecurity is expected to rise . By the end of June it is anticipated that over 1 million will be displaced.
The humanitarian community is responding to the acut e needs of the affected populations through a host of interventions among which include, food and livelihoods, non food items, shelter, health especially medical evacuation and management of the wounded and water, sanitation and hygiene services. There are also increasing reports of children being separated from the parents when fleeing their homes and of gender - based violence, which must be addressed. The particular vulnerability of refugees from Sudan in South Sudan, in particular in Unity and Upper Nile states, is also of concern and funding is needed to address their immediate needs.
At the beginning of the crisis, most partners relocated their staff and pulled out of most hotspot locations. Health organizations have started to return to their operatio nal location s whenever access is allowing ; the areas of Bentiu, Malakal and Bor however remain of particular concern, as fighting has continued.
The Humanitarian strategic response plan for January - June highlights 3 strategic priority health response areas targeting 1,908,00 of whom 500,000 are displaced people.