JUBA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A tangible political solution is crucial to lift South Sudan from permanent humanitarian crisis and alleviate the ongoing suffering of its people, an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) senior official said on Friday.
Dominik Stillhart, ICRC's global director of operations, said that despite signing of a preliminary peace pact, violence against civilians in the East African country continues unabated and humanitarian needs continue to worsen.
"What we see in this country unfortunately is continued and widespread attacks against the civilians. Villages are burnt down and there is also widespread sexual violence," Stillhart told Xinhua in an exclusive interview in Juba.
Stillhart said the recent peace agreement signed by the various South Sudanese warring factions in neighboring Sudan provides a glimpse of hope for stability, but it requires serious implementation in order to achieve tangible results.
"There is need for this current political process to lead to peace and stability because this is the only way to lift this country out of the crisis and to alleviate the terrible suffering of the South Sudanese," Stillhart said.
South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world. A peace deal signed in August 2015 broke down following renewed fighting in July 2016.
The UN estimates that about four million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally, and the world's youngest nation has for the third year running been ranked as the deadliest for aid workers to operate.
Stillhart said the current situation in South Sudan remains difficult, with 60 percent of an estimated population of 12 million depending on food aid.
"Even if peace is implemented, South Sudan will need and require international support for many years to come and therefore, we as an organization remain committed whatever the situation may be to South Sudan and its people," Stillhart said.
"There is definitely much to be done to respect the very basic rule of international humanitarian law, and that includes - indeed also the flow of aid to most vulnerable people on every side they may be living," he added.
