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In Pictures: S Sudan’s joyless anniversary

On the third anniversary of South Sudan’s independence the country’s humanitarian crisis is spiraling out of control.

Thousands have been killed during the escalated conflict in the world(***)s youngest country, and another 4 million are at risk of severe malnutrition.
Published On 10 Jul 2014

On the third anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, the country’s humanitarian situation is in dire straits, Oxfam has reported. 

“The world’s attention is elsewhere as Africa’s worst humanitarian catastrophe descends into more misery,” the organisation’s chief executive, Mark Goldring, said in a released statement. 

Embroiled in one of Africa’s worst crises, approximately a third of the country’s population of 4 million is at risk of hunger ,with aid reaching only half of those in need.

The UN has warned that if the aid effort does not increase, 50,000 children could die from malnutrition.

Since the current crisis began in December 2013, fighting has forced 1.5 million people from their homes and numbers continue to rise. 

The risk of famine and cholera is rising as the number of people requiring help is steadily increasing, but the money to enable agencies to provide aid has been dwindling.
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"More than six months into this crisis, the aid effort is stumbling and will not cope without a timely injection of funds," said Mark Goldring Oxfam(***)s chief executive.
Destruction, looting, and occupation of health facilities have impeded health services and many facilities lack essential supplies. There have been rising levels of cholera, measles, and Hepatitus E.
Thousands trek to the UN camp in Bentiu, Unity State, but due to a lack of food, approximately 100 children died in the camp over a six week period.
Women(***)s health has also been a dire issue. Alarmingly, maternal mortality in the country is the highest in the world - 2,054 per 100,000 births.
According to the United Nations, approximately 24,000 women are at risk of rape or sexual violence, though the number is likely higher.
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The growing conflict has also seen an ongoing influx of child soldiers - currently more than 9,000 young persons are fighting in the war-torn country.
Many internally displaced people wait for their official registration to come through so they can collect building materials to construct new homes in the camp.
"This is a not a crisis caused by drought or flood. It is a political crisis turned violent. The people of South Sudan can only put their lives back together once the fighting ends," said Goldring.
Since the current crisis began in December 2013, fighting has forced 1.5 million people from their homes and the numbers continue to rise.