South Sudan: Detainees lose vital support as families flee violence and food insecurity
| Publisher | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) |
| Publication Date | 18 September 2017 |
| Cite as | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), South Sudan: Detainees lose vital support as families flee violence and food insecurity, 18 September 2017, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/59c3c3494.html [accessed 8 October 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Isolation and dependence makes people deprived of their liberty extremely vulnerable. At the same time, in most countries, prisons are rarely a priority and financial resources allocated to them are often scarce. In South Sudan this situation has been exacerbated by years of armed conflict and severe economic crisis.
The ICRC works in places of detention to monitor the treatment and living conditions of detainees and respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs. It focuses on enhancing the dignity of detainees and supports the authorities to overcome the many challenges they face in attempting to cover the basic needs of those under their care, including when it comes to food, water and sanitation, and medical care. It also ensures detainees can maintain contact with their families during their imprisonment.
ICRC activities include direct support to the authorities in favor of detainees, with food and hygiene items, the repair of essential infrastructure like water and sewage systems, the improvement of prison clinics and kitchens, and the provision of medical supplies. At the same time, it works closely with detaining authorities on long term solutions, providing guidance on the management of detention facilities to make the most of available resources, and assisting them to liaise with other actors able to offer additional support.
