The United Nations says that more than 600 people have fled from ‘insecurity’ in Lakes State and taken shelter at various locations in the state capital Rumbek. 

In an update released on Saturday, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated, “Clashes and criminality were ongoing in Lakes State, with some 665 people sheltering in various locations in Rumbek as a result of insecurity.”

“Another 230 had reportedly left the city for other areas,” OCHA noted.

This comes after a report last week that members of the Cuiebet community in Rumbek were sleeping at the police headquarters because they felt ‘hunted’ in the town, owing to inter-clan violence. 

According to the UN, rising insecurity has also caused the Rumbek airport to stop operations by 4:00 p.m. daily.

This is expected to impact humanitarian air operations, since the Rumbek airbase is a hub for access elsewhere in the country, including Bentiu, where fixed wing aircraft are no longer landing due to security concerns, only helicopters.

Related coverage: 

Cuiebet community say no longer safe in Rumbek (24 Sept.)

Lakes state lawlessness: Rumbek North accuses Cueibet of cattle raids (14 Sept.)

Lawlessness in Lakes state after chief's murder (19 Aug.)

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