Renewed clashes have cut off about 250, 000 people in Koch and Leer counties in Unity state from accessing humanitarian assistance, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the International Rescue Committee have said.

They say there is fear that communities from the two counties have exhausted their means of survival.

“The people in Koch and Leer Counties have borne the brunt of this conflict since May, and the ongoing unrest is keeping vital aid from reaching them,” said Ronald-Paul Veilleux, South Sudan country director at the International Rescue Committee.

In a statement, the international organizations say humanitarian agencies have not been able to access the counties for the last six months.

It says renewed violence in central and southern Unity State has forced the IRC and NRC to suspend plans to return to the area.

The statement says the two agencies have been extensively negotiating and securing permission with parties to the conflict.

It says this is the second time the two organizations have suspended activities in the region.

Both agencies say they have had to suspend their operations since May due to clashes between armed factions.