The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says restriction on River Nile transport has now been lifted.

The SPLA said in July it made the restrictions on security grounds.

In a regular bulletin, OCHA says no barges arrived in Malakal in that period and no flights were able to land at the airstrip from the end of June until early this month.

It says the lifting of the restrictions has allowed humanitarian partners to start resupplying medicines, fuel, food, and water treatment chemicals in Malakal.

“The lifting of the restrictions has allowed humanitarian partners to start resupplying critical medicines, fuel, food and water treatment chemicals in Malakal,” it wrote.

“Partners are working to ensure supplies continue to be delivered to Upper Nile to avert a further deterioration of the already dire situation.”

OCHA says partners also continue to negotiate with all parties in the conflict to give access to Wau Shilluk to enable partners to deliver water, sanitation and hygiene supplies.

It says the health centre there has run out of essential drugs.