The Minister of Information in Unity State says the humanitarian situation in Bentiu town is worsening following the recent fighting there.

Last week twelve of the IDPs at the UN camp died of hunger.

Nyalip John said thousands of Bentiu residents left their homes and sought refuge at the United Nations camp following recent clashes between the government and the SPLA in Opposition forces.

Nyalip said the Opposition forces are now controlling Bentiu airport. She said there is a looming famine due to the on-going fighting.

“The humanitarian situation is very bad, there is no hospital functioning in Bentiu right now.  There is no food in the markets because the rebels killed the traders during the last attack.  Now the people who are in the camp are hungry, and  in Bentiu,  there are no people”, she said.

“…they have sought refuge at UNMISS and there we have about 12,000 people, and last week we received a report that 12 of them died due to hunger this is not because UNMISS is not giving them any support. Whatever UNMISS has, it has given them out and gave the civilians. UNMISS can still support the people, but how can UNMISS bring in food items if rebels are controlling Bentiu airport? They don’t want to see any plane landing and they do nothing with it”, she added.

Madam Nyalip urged the warring parties to lay down their guns and stop fighting.