September 26th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock has urged the South Sudan warring factions to adhere to the implementation of the agreement signed on September 12th in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Speaking to a Panel of Experts at a High-level Humanitarian Forum on South Sudan in New York, the Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has noted the current crisis in South Sudan and urged panelists to make an overall assessment of South Sudan’s security situation by hearing at first-hand from the affected population and how humanitarian assistance is delivered.
“Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to this high-level event on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan. This is a good moment for the event, two weeks into the signing of the revitalized peace deal by the South Sudanese parties to the conflict. This gives us an opportunity to take stock of the humanitarian situation, and especially to hear from affected people, and to discuss ways in which the humanitarian community is reaching people, despite the challenges that we face,” he told the panel.
The Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs lauded the panel of experts for their outstanding commitment to serving millions of lives and called on the Government and its neighbouring states to support the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement.
“I would like to thank all panelists and participants for their commitment to the millions of people affected by the crisis in South Sudan. I would just like to summarize some of the issues we have heard here today. Firstly, the central issue is the crucial importance of an inclusive and sustainable peace, without which there will be no end to the crisis. As a first step, the Government, with its supporters and neighbours, needs to build on and implement the recently-signed agreements,” Mark added.
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, pointed out that as the hostilities continue, the warring parties should abide by international law and be mindful of accountability should they violate international obligations.
“Second, as long as fighting continues, parties to conflict must comply with international law, and they should expect to be held to account on this front. Attacks on civilians, especially on South Sudanese aid workers, have to stop, there has to be accountability,” he said.
He said the humanitarian community should work and focus on the conflict affected areas in the country.
“Third, the whole humanitarian system has to work in a principled manner with a focus on the people affected by the conflict. The diversity of the response systems, including national organizations, was demonstrated in today’s discussion, and must be supported,” he added.
