JUBA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday called on warring parties in South Sudan to allow the unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid to civilians in need amid intensified fighting.
The charity said hostilities have escalated in several regions, particularly in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and Central Equatoria, severely affecting civilians and hampering medical and humanitarian personnel from reaching the wounded and other vulnerable communities.
Daniel Bunnskog, ICRC head of delegation in South Sudan, said the ongoing access constraints in certain areas have prevented the organization from reaching several weapon-wounded patients in urgent need of life-saving care.
"We call on parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid to civilians in need and those wounded by weapons, and to respect and protect humanitarian personnel carrying out impartial humanitarian activities," Bunnskog said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The ICRC reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law, stressing the need to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants, as well as between civilian objects and military objectives.
"Civilians must never be the object of attack," the charity said, adding that the wounded, the sick, and individuals detained in connection with the conflict must be respected and protected in all circumstances and provided with medical care without delay or discrimination.
The charity also emphasized that medical personnel, medical facilities, and medical transports must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The ICRC said it continues to engage in bilateral dialogue with parties to the conflict to address the humanitarian situation and to reiterate their obligations under International Humanitarian Law, including ensuring safe access for humanitarian teams to reach weapon-wounded patients requiring urgent care. ■