Drought, conflict continue to cause concern

The humanitarian situation in Upper Nile remained a major concern, as insecurity threatened to hinder agricultural activities despite good rains in parts of Unity/Western Upper Nile, Latjor and Phou, UNOCHA reported in its humanitarian update for June. Relief efforts there were limited to "periodic hit-and-run interventions," it said. There were continuing worries about drought-affected parts of Kordofan, Darfur and Red Sea State, as well as "great concern" about the growing needs of the population of White Nile State, it stated. Meanwhile, a request was being processed for access for an emergency assessment mission of the rebel-controlled areas of the Nubah Mountains, "in the wake of reports of a fast-deteriorating humanitarian situation," OCHA reported.

Humanitarian agencies are also preparing their responses, and contingency plans, for the situation in Eastern Equatoria, where the Ugandan rebel Lord's Resistance Army moving southeast from Juba towards the Ugandan border has resulted in "significant displacement" into Kajo Keji and Uganda (Acholi and Nimule).