SOUTHERN SUDAN
Humanitarian Context: The humanitarian situation in Southern Sudan during the second quarter of 2009 deteriorated sharply as a result of inter-tribal fighting and violence associated with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Clashes with the LRA in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have caused further refugee influxes into Western and Central Equatoria States. Epidemic diseases and the challenge of reintegrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees returning home to Southern Sudan have also been major humanitarian priorities.
Humanitarian Access: On 12 June, barges carrying 735 metric tons (MT) of World Food Programme (WFP) food intended for 18,000 IDPs in Akobo in Jonglei State were attacked outside Nasir in Upper Nile State. Tens were killed during the attack and virtually all of the food was lost. In response to the attack, the United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Lise Grande, Upper Nile State officials and the four County Commissioners along the Sobat agreed on a nine-point access framework for the corridor. The Sobat Corridor is a major route for humanitarian cargo to surrounding areas within Upper Nile and Jonglei States.
