Refuge-seekers who have been living at the UN Tongping base in Juba for more than two months say they will not leave, in spite of what they say are poor conditions inside the UN base.

According to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the number of people living at the Tongping base as of 26 February was 27,580 while the number at the UN House base on the other side of the city was 15,744.

The majority of these people fled to the bases from various neighborhoods of Juba on 16-18 December. Almost all of them are Nuer by ethnicity.

In interviews aired on Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, residents of the Tongping camp complained of acute shortages of food, shelter and other essential services, yet still maintained they would not leave the base.  

Sarah, a mother of two children, said that her children are suffering from health complications due to unhealthy conditions inside the camp.

Another mother of eight, Nyajang Kutek, said although the health situation is dire in the camp, she intends to stay because she feels secure there along with her children.

“In the previous months about 50 children have been killed by measles disease. In spite of this, the government did not come to see our immense suffering,” she said.

“I will remain here under the protection of UNMISS until the security improves or the political situation changes in the country,” added the mother.

Many traumatized members of the displaced population expressed desire to return to their homes but repeatedly cited concerns about security in their former neighborhoods.

Butrus Lony, a man who sought refuge in the UNMISS base on 16 December, said he is eager to return back home but still doubts the security guarantees claimed by the government.

“It is better for my safety to stay here in the UN base instead of venturing out by returning home in Mangaten residential area,” Butrus said.

Another man in the camp, Gabriel Kiir said, “I went home but I was expelled from my house by gunmen – I could not even collect my belongings.”

Photo: Shelters for displaced inside the UN base in Tongping, Juba (Radio Tamazuj)

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