The International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday said the conflict in south Sudan has put pressure on the health system in the country.

This, the organisation said was due to an influx of returnees and refugees fleeing fighting in Sudan.

ICRC regional director for Africa, Patrick Youssef, said poor health conditions were expected to worsen due to the high number of people arriving in South Sudan as conflict escalates in neighbouring Sudan.

“My fear is that the influx has created an additional strain on already existing difficulties in terms of health services. If you look at health facilities, they are mostly run by international organisations or local organisations, and if funding stops, they have no way of sustaining such operations,” Mr Youssef told journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

He said South Sudan is still recovering from years of conflict, but it is now facing the consequences of the conflict, with hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee to South Sudan.

“All this comes at a time when ongoing conflicts around the world have put additional strain on humanitarian resources while the needs have not diminished,” Mr Youssef added.

During his five-day visit to Malakal town in Upper Nile State, Akobo and Diel areas in Jonglei State, he met with affected communities, government officials, key humanitarian actors and relevant organisations.

The ICRC official also met with First Vice President Riek Machar, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Albino Akol Atak, and diplomatic representatives.

The official said that their meeting was to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country and the limited resources available to respond to it.

“The humanitarian situation in South Sudan is dire due to conflict and inter communal violence, compounded by a lack of infrastructure, widespread food insecurity, destruction of farmland, displacement, harsh weather conditions, and limited access to basic services,” Mr Youssef said.

He noted that the country’s strained resources are being stretched further by the combined effects of economic instability and the influx of more than 650,000 people fleeing the conflict in Sudan.

Mr Youssef called on the transitional unity government to avail funding to address the worsening humanitarian situation, saying that humanitarian organisations are unable to do it alone.

The South Sudan government recently imposed taxes on fuel and other aid deliveries, forcing the UN Mission in South Sudan and other UN agencies to reduce humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.

Mr Youssef said the ICRC needs the support of the government to carry out its mission effectively.

“However, the recent introduction of new fees, levies, and taxes by the government of South Sudan will  increase the cost of humanitarian operations and further limit the resources available to help the affected population,” he said.

(Xinhua/NAN)