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Samaritan’s Purse evacuates staff from a refugee camp under the threat of imminent hostilities

Samaritan's Purse has been feeding and assisting refugees fleeing violence in the Nuban Mountains at a camp in Yida since early August. The camp population exceeds 20,000. The location of the camp is in the Republic of South Sudan, about 12 miles from the border between the Islamic Republic of Sudan and the newly formed country of the Republic of South Sudan. 

On Sunday, Samaritan's Purse called for a complete evacuation of all staff in Yida. We received reports that Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) had moved large artillery about eight miles to the east of Jau, which is about the same distance from Yida. Knowing that the SAF already bombed Yida camp by air in November, a logical assumption is they will likely also shell it by ground. 

At 2 a.m. local time, Samaritan's Purse staff, along with staff from other NGOs, left Yida by ground transport to an airstrip to the west. At 8:00 a.m., our DC-3 picked up 28 people, including our staff, and flew them to the South Sudan capital of Juba, where all are safe. 

Reports from Yida today are describing the sounds of heavy artillery attacks and ground fighting in Jau. The SAF has stated they have taken the outpost but that isn't confirmed. It is a highly unstable and volatile situation. 

Samaritan's Purse remains deeply concerned for the refugees in Yida, and for the 1.2 million displaced people of Nuba who are totally shut off from food, medical care, and all other forms of humanitarian assistance while they try to survive ongoing aerial bombardment and attacks by the military of the Islamic Republic of Sudan. 

The people of South Kordofan in the Nuba Mountains need a humanitarian corridor to be opened.

Samaritan's Purse will continue to monitor the situation and prepare to assist the refugees as soon as security will allow such assistance to happen. We are working closely with UNHCR and other organizations to do all possible. 

The refugee camp is located in a swampy area in Unity State near the border between South Sudan and Sudan. Samaritan's Purse has distributed hundreds of tons of food staples, with material support from the UN’s World Food Program. We have also provided temporary shelter, medical care, and other assistance to the growing number of refugees. 

 

Please keep this situation in your prayers.