联合国呼吁世界各国重视人道主义危机

The United Nations head of emergency relief has demanded the world pay attention to what he calls the 'enormous and complex humanitarian crisis' in South Sudan. Stephen O'Brien has just returned from the country, where he urged President Salva Kiir to better protect his people amid the ongoing violence.

Stephen O'Brien last visited South Sudan a year ago. Since then, he says the "humanitarian situation has significantly deteriorated."

He says hunger is widespread; women and girls are being raped and men and boys are routinely being killed and abducted. Several months of renewed fighting have left hundreds of people dead and thousands more forced to flee their homes.

O'Brien said people were fleeing to keep themselves alive. He stressed the plight of the South Sudanese people "demands the world's attention."

O'Brien's briefing at the UN headquarters in New York follows his three-day visit to South Sudan where he met President Salva Kiir. O'Brien said he expressed his "shock and dismay at the appalling reports" of attacks on civilians.

He condemned the "heinous acts of sexual violence," some of which have allegedly been carried out by government soldiers.

O'Brien said Kiir gave him "assurances" about the issues he raised. But he stressed they must now be acted on.

Meanwhile, the U-N Security Council is getting ready to renew the mission's mandate in South Sudan.

Members are likely to vote on Friday, along with a U-S-proposed draft resolution to send an extra four thousand troops to the country, and the possibility of imposing an arms embargo should peace efforts fail.