Peace and stability remain the prerequisites to alleviate the suffering of millions of South Sudanese following the decision to extend the pre-transitional period by 100 days, said International Committee of the Red Cross or ICRC.
‘South Sudanese need to feel safe and are living in constant uncertainty of what the future will hold’, said James Reynolds, ICRC head of delegation in South Sudan in a statement on Friday.
He added that millions of them already rely on meager resources and they could lose the little they have left if the situation deteriorates.
Reynolds noted that the peace deal signed in September 2018 offered a period of calm and the ICRC has observed small encouraging signs of improvement in the country.
Humanitarian access has increased, food insecurity has reduced slightly, families are slowly returning home and some parts of the country are enjoying sustained stability, he explained.
The head of the delegation observed that this year growing numbers of South Sudanese have returned home, in part because of political tensions in refugee communities.
He said the return was because of increased hopes for peace, but that their situation remains dire because the returnees found their homes looted or destroyed and therefore must rely on relatives and humanitarian aid.
Reynolds stressed that ‘it is essential that all the parties refrain from attacks against civilians and comply with international humanitarian law more broadly’.
The ICRC will continue its humanitarian operations to alleviate the needs of the most affected communities all over South Sudan, he pledged.