Khartoum, Sudan - Armed men have attacked seven villages in Jonglei State in South Sudan leaving an unspecified number of people dead. The UN-run Radio Miraya based in the South Sudan on Saturday quoted the county commissioner, Tut Fuk Nyang, as attributing the violence to a revenge attack by a group from the Murle tribe against the Nuer tribe over possession of cattle. It also quoted the spokesperson of the UN Mission in South Sudan, Aleem Siddique, as saying that a United Nations assessment team has been sent to Pierry, one of the affected villages, to assess the situation.

The broadcast said in the last few months there were several clashes between armed groups from both tribes.

Tribal clashes, food security and relocation from the north has produced more than 275,000 newly displaced persons this year, including over 110,000 from Abyei, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in South Sudan said on the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day.

In addition, more than 330,000 people have returned from Sudan to South Sudan and thousands of other civilians are vulnerable to inter-communal violence and persistent rebel militia activity.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Ms. Lise Grande, speaking from Renk in Upper Nile State during a high-level delegation to assess the impact of a recent surge of returnees highlighted the pressing humanitarian priorities facing the world’s newest nation, including the continuing flow of returnees from Sudan, high levels of displacement and mounting concerns over a potential deterioration in food security.

The UN pointed out that despite steps forward, South Sudan has continued to face critical humanitarian challenges as it looks to the future.

South Sudan achieved its historic independence from Sudan on 9 July. While independence celebrations passed peacefully, the basic safety and security of civilians remains a serious concern.

Food security has also become an increasingly urgent concern over the first half of 2011, with a combination of increased insecurity, displacement, reduced trade with Sudan and erratic rainfall undermining people’s ability feed themselves.

Emergency food aid has been provided in response to the increased humanitarian needs, but partners are now experiencing shortfalls in food stocks as a result, the UN underlined.

“It is critical that the Government of South Sudan, with the support of the international community, acts quickly to prevent a downturn in food security,” said Ms Lise Grande.

“Nothing is more important in the first year of statehood than ensuring that people have enough food to survive.”

South Sudan which was at war with Sudan for 21 years, gained independence only last month.

The new nation is expected to face huge challenges because of lack of basic infrastructure and fragile tribal and ethnic cohesion.

Pana 21/08/2011