Hundred thousands of people live in Protection of Civilians (POC) camps in South Sudan. A POC is an area that has been established within a UN mission base to provide protection of civilians. The POC is fenced, protected and controlled by UN peacekeeping forces. The internally displaced people (IDP), who were forced to leave their home to stay alive, are living in the camp under physical protection of the UN. The IDPs cannot be removed by the government or other parties without the consent of the UN.
In the largest POC in Juba, there are more than 30,000 IDPs. Most of the people were seeking protection following the December 2013 outbreaks of violence and killings. Ethnic violence and cleansing surged in Juba, Bor, Bentiu, and Malakal, and within two weeks the death toll had reached an estimated 10,000 people killed and many more injured and raped. Also in July 2016, many more IDPs came to the Camp after heavy fighting erupted in and around the capital of Juba. Today, there are still IDPs arriving at the POC on a daily basis due to war and conflict.
Nearly two million people are internally displaced in South Sudan. Like Tuo, they were forced to flee their home to stay alive. Another two million people have fled South Sudan and are living in refugee camps in neighboring countries like Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Congo and other countries.
The Protection of Civilians Camp. Juba, South Sudan. February 2018.
