Highlights
- Response is temporarily suspended outside of Wau town following threats to the safety of humanitarians. UNICEF calls for safe and unhindered access to all areas to provide essential assistance.
- The number of internally displaced persons in the Protection of Civilian Sites (POC) is increasing; the additional influx is thought to be due partly to continued insecurity.
- Between July 11 and July 17, a total of 2,355 children and 1,535 pregnant and lactating women were screened for malnutrition, and provided with appropriate treatment.
- Malaria continues to be the major cause of morbidity. Long-lasting treated insecticide nets are being provided to help prevent malaria, alongside information on proper use and appropriate health-seeking behaviours.
Humanitarian Overview
Conflict erupted in Wau on 24 June. Although the situation is now relatively stable, sporadic incidents continue within Wau town, and low-level military activity is reported in surrounding areas. There is continuous movements of population to and from the Protection of Civilian (POC) site and other internally displaced person (IDP) sites within Wau town, with the latest data indicating that there is steady increase of numbers, particularly in the POC. The IDP influx is thought to be due both to continued insecurity and to movements from smaller IDP sites towards POC and Cathedral site, where IDPs are perceived to benefit from a more protective environment and complete humanitarian services. According to latest figures, the total population in the POC site has steadily increased to 25,000 IDPs, whereas the Cathedral Church currently accommodates around 14,000 people.
Humanitarian Response
Interventions outside of Wau town have been temporarily suspended following threats to the security of humanitarian actors.
Different teams have been formed with partners to cover initial nutrition response within Wau town. UNICEF, being the focal agency of the Nutrition Cluster, has mobilised partners and is ensuring that partners are assigned locations as per the need of the communities and respective capacity of agencies. UNICEF and WFP with Nutrition partners have started responding in two additional IDP sites in Wau town: South Sudan Red Cross, and St. Joseph. Nutrition partners are following an integrated approach, including for example establishing hand washing stations and providing soap to the mothers of malnourished children at nutrition sites. Meanwhile, efforts are being made for the reestablishment of pre-existing nutrition programmes in health centres.