Humanitarian coordinator condemns violence in Jonglei State's Twic East County

JUBA, South Sudan, October 23, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- “On behalf of the humanitarian community, I strongly condemn the attack on civilians which took place in Jonglei State's Twic East County on 20 October 2013.

Immediately after the attack health organizations mobilized to help those injured in the violence. On 20 and 21 October the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) evacuated 49 people from Twic East. Thirty of the injured were flown to Bor and 19 to Juba for medical treatment. Among the casualties were at least five women and children.

Humanitarians stand ready to respond to other eventual humanitarian needs resulting from this violence. We call on the Government of South Sudan to reinforce its ongoing efforts to strengthen law and order and to ensure aid workers continue to have unimpeded access to all areas affected by violence, so that we can reach people in need, on time."