Humanitarian operations have been suspended in parts of South Sudan after escalating violence forced aid agencies to withdraw from key areas.

Save the Children says it has relocated more than 45 staff and suspended operations in Jonglei State following a surge in fighting.

At the time of the withdrawal, the organisation was providing critical health, nutrition, education and protection services to around 100 000 children in the town of Akobo.

The suspension of services comes after South Sudan’s military ordered civilians, non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies to leave the area earlier this month.

Aid groups warn the move could worsen an already dire humanitarian situation, with more than 280 000 people displaced by violence in Jonglei since December, many of them women and children.

Save the Children is now calling on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure safe access for aid agencies.

–Channel Africa–