More than 80,000 people in Upper Nile State are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The head of communications of OCHA, Tapiwa Gomo, says aid agencies are unable to provide assistance after transportation through the Nile River was closed down by the SPLA.

People in the violence-affected state depend on food aid from various UN agencies and other humanitarian groups.

Mr Gomo says if the decision is not reversed, people in Wau Shilluk, Kodok, and Malakal are likely to face severe hunger.

“We are worried about the situation in those areas because we have been not able to transport enough supply to meet some of their needs,” he said.

“In Wau Shilluk for instance, we had planned to start distribution of relief assistance but due to limited logistics and access to roads is currently impossible.”

Meanwhile, SPLA spokesperson Col Philip Aguer says the Nile route has been re-opened.

“These organizations since last week are supposed to resume their activities – to deliver humanitarian relief through River Nile and if there was any problem, they are supposed to meet with the concerned,” Col Aguer stated.

Colonel Aguer says humanitarian agencies can also airdrop food in the conflict affected areas.