The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday warned that urgent action needed to be taken to save hundreds of thousands of people in South Sudan from starvation.

The head of ICRC operations in East Africa, Mr Eric Marclay, in a statement warned that the lives of hundreds of thousands of people were under threat due to a severe lack of food, poor access to clean water and health care.

The humanitarian agency estimated that more than a hundred thousand people had been forced to leave their homes during the past four weeks because of an upsurge in violence.

According to ICRC, this comes on top of around two million people who have already been forced to flee their homes during the past 18 months since the crisis began.

Many have crossed into neighbouring Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan and Kenya.

``We have received several reports of direct attacks on civilians.

``Our medical teams are performing life-saving surgery around the clock to cope with the influx of wounded.

``The humanitarian situation is deteriorating. Many people have been killed and wounded. Some people have been displaced for the second or third time.

``There is an urgent need for civilians to be respected, unconditionally,’’ Marclay said.

He added that warring parties, the international community and aid agencies must take immediate, sustained and wide-ranging action.

``There is a desperate need for food and drinking water and access to health care.

``If the situation does not improve, the lives of hundreds of thousands of people are threatened,’’ he added.

According to ICRC, the situation is particularly severe in Koch, Mayendit, Rubkona and Leer counties in Unity State.

Also in Malakal, Melut, Akoka and Longuchok counties in Upper Nile State; and in central and north-eastern parts of Jonglei State.

``Economic activity is minimal, food prices are rising and basic services limited,” the humanitarian organisation said.

The ICRC has been providing substantial support to local communities, including the provision of food rations, seed and tools to farmers.

ICRC also provided livestock vaccination campaigns; as well as medical and surgical care to communities affected by the recent fighting.

However more effort is needed given the situation, the ICRC is appealing to donors for an additional 23 million dollar to a total budget of 162 million dollar.

The ICRC aimed to distribute food to up to 340,000 people and to increase seed distributions and cattle vaccinations.

South Sudan is the second largest ICRC operation in the world, after Syria.

(PANA/NAN)