S Sudan crisis 'deteriorates' after six months of war

Aid agencies warned today that starvation and diseases like malaria and cholera were set to intensify the crisis in South Sudan, which has been devastated by six months of conflict.
War in the young nation has already killed thousands and forced more than 1.5 million people from their homes, and aid agencies warn of the risk of famine should fighting continue.
"The conflict has taken thousands of lives and destroyed the livelihoods of millions," Oxfam's South Sudan chief Emma Jane Drew said today.
"The people of South Sudan have been exposed to a triple crisis -- conflict, hunger and disease -- and with the rains now in full swing, the situation only stands to deteriorate."

Yesterday, the United Nations launched an appeal for funds, begging for over a billion dollars to support almost four million people hit by the fighting.
"Now that the rains have set in, conditions in South Sudan are deteriorating by the day: people are literally living in mud," UN aid chief for South Sudan Toby Lanzer said yesterday.

"Cholera has broken out, malaria is rampant and many children are malnourished. Millions of people need emergency healthcare, food, clean water, proper sanitation and shelter to make it through the year," he added.
Lanzer warned that more than "50,000 children could die this year" from disease and hunger if they do not get assistance.

Over 94,000 civilians are still sheltering inside hugely overcrowded UN bases, too frighted to leave the protection of the razor wire fence for fear of attack.
Some of the camps are knee-deep in water and mud.
President Salva Kiir and his arch-rival Riek Machar committed themselves again on Tuesday to a ceasefire, although many analysts are sceptical they really want a negotiated end to the conflict, and instead believe a military victory is still possible.
Two earlier ceasefire deals were broken within hours.