SITUATION OVERVIEW
Violence broke out in Juba on 15 December, and quickly spread to other locations, with heavy fighting reported in Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states between Government and opposition forces. Since then, several divisons of the South Sudan armed forces have splintered and intense battles have taken place for the control of Bentiu, Bor and Malakal
Humanitarian agencies’ priorities are to protect civilians from the ongoing violence and reach people affected by the crisis with assistance. This includes gaining access to displaced people in areas with active hostilities as soon as security allows, and providing surgical and medical assistance to those caught up in the violence. In addition to physical protection from violence, the most urgent needs of people caught up in the violence are: food and livelihoods; healthcare; shelter; and water, sanitation and hygiene services. There are also increasing reports of children being separated from the parents when fleeing their homes and of gender-based violence, which must be addressed. The particular vulnerability of refugees from Sudan in South Sudan, in particular in Unity and Upper Nile states, is also of concern.
