Picture Story - South Sudan

Conflict and poor infrastructure often combine to deny aid workers access to vulnerable populations. This is the current case in Jonglei state, South Sudan . Inter-ethnic clashes have flared across the vast state leaving tens of thousands without shelter, water, or food. UN reports indicate nearly 100,000 people are in need of urgent help. However the lack of roads and the numerous armed groups make ground transport almost impossible or extremely dangerous. As is the case in many parts of Africa, quick and safe access to the victims of conflict often remains a serious challenge in Jonglei.

The European Commission has deployed one of its two stand-by helicopters to respond to the emergency in Jonglei. This Mi-8 helicopter has a capacity of 19 passengers or three tonnes of cargo. For the last three weeks, the helicopter has been based in Bor the state capital. From here, the helicopter has been used to airlift food and medical supplies to people displaced by the conflict. Each day the helicopter makes several trips to different villages not only transporting aid workers and delivering the much needed help, but also evacuating the injured.

The second Commission funded helicopter has recently been deployed to the vast Democratic Republic of Congo to boost the operation of aid agencies operating in North Kivu.

• Tens of thousands more become refugees fleeing conflict in North Sudan (Doro Refugee Camp, Bunj, South Sudan (2011)
• Vicious circle of inter-ethnic violence continues to affect thousands of people in South Sudan (2011)
• Factsheet on South Sudan (01.2012)
• Background information on Sudan

Pictures: EU/Marilena Chatziantoniou (unless otherwise stated)
Text: EU/Martin Karimi