Statement by Toby Lanzer, Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan / South Sudan aid chief calls for one month of tranquility

JUBA, South Sudan, April 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “I call on all parties to the conflict in South sudan to observe one month of tranquility this May; to stop the violence and to provide a safe environment for civilians caught by the conflict at this most crucial time of the year.

I am calling for one month of tranquility for two reasons.

First, stopping the fighting and ensuring one month of tranquility will enable people to be safer and move freely, without fear of violence. The citizens of South sudan have a right to move around their country whether to tend to their livestock or for other reasons, or even to seek asylum in neighbouring countries if they so wish. The conflict currently compromises their ability to do so.

Second, one month without violence will allow people to plant and cultivate. The conflict which broke out in mid-December has put a staggering 7 million people are at risk of food insecurity across the country. April and May are the time to plant. April is behind us; only May is left to enable people to prepare their fields and try to ensure that they have a harvest at the end of 2014.

While the only way to reverse this crisis and its grave humanitarian consequences is to find a political resolution to the conflict, one month of tranquility this May is a tangible step that will have an immediate impact on the lives of millions of people.”