South Sudan: One million disabled people at risk in South Sudan

Event

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged United Nations (UN) and aid agencies to take action, after claiming that at least one million disabled people are increasingly vulnerable to violence in South Sudan's civil war. The report stated that decades of civil war has increased the number of people with disabilities, who are allegedly targeted by armed forces on both sides.

The UN has not yet responded to the report. 

Context

An estimated 250,000 people with disabilities live in displacement camps in South Sudan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The ongoing conflict has fractured South Sudan along ethnic lines, and approximately a quarter of the country's 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes. The conflict has led to approximately one million South Sudanese needing food assistance due to the risk of famine.

Advice

Travelers in South Sudan are advised to conserve water and other resources as much as possible, stock up on bottled water, remain informed of the situation via local media outlets, and follow any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g., water rationing measures). Individuals are also advised to avoid all protests and gatherings due to the potential for violence. Due to various security issues, most Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the entire country, including the capital Juba. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel throughout the country.