Three days of ethnic violence have left more than 400 dead in South Sudan, according to the UN, with many beginning to evacuate non-essential staff in response to the increased insecurity. International Medical Corps, which has been providing lifesaving services in South Sudan since 1994, is scaling down activities and taking appropriate actions to protect staff and assets. When security permits, International Medical Corps will conduct assessments to determine the needs of those affected by the violence.
On-going conflict in South Sudan has placed strain on the ability of humanitarian actors to respond to urgent needs on the ground. Despite the persistent insecurity, International Medical Corps has continued to deliver health services to nearly half a million people in South Sudan and work to address maternal health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, food security, and water and sanitation needs. Working in both rural and urban areas through 46 health facilities, including 2 hospitals, International Medical Corps provides approximately 20,000 medical consultations every month. In addition, International Medical Corps established and supports a national health training institute near Kajo Keji Hospital to increase the number of mid-level health professionals in South Sudan, with 150 newly trained midwives expected to graduate by 2015. In 2012, International Medical Corps responded to the urgent health needs of South Sudanese returnees in Upper Nile State when violence in Sudan caused over 100,000 people to flee.
International Medical Corps has decades of experience implementing medical programs in austere environments including during conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Darfur, Libya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its global security team is monitoring the situation in South Sudan closely and ensuring the utmost safety of its staff. With South Sudanese civilians suffering greatly, International Medical Corps hopes for a swift cessation of violence so that it can continue to provide relief to those who need it most.