Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yuai in South Sudan’s Uror County, Jonglei State are experiencing high market prices and food shortages.
A 50 kg bag of sorghum costs 350 South Sudanese Pounds, according to one trader in the market, compared to 150 SSP before the conflict. Sugar costs 800 SSP for 50 kg, compared to 400 SSP previously. The price of cooking oil increased from 50 SSP to 150 SSP.
The trader said he is running out of food to sell because new shipments have not arrived since April due to the war and muddy roads.
“If this food gets finished there’s no way to get more becasue of war,” he said.
There are 14,000 IDPs in the Yuai area, according to the local Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner. The RRC says they mostly rely on food donations from the host community.
Uror County is controlled by the armed opposition.
Farmers expect a good sorghum harvest but worry the food could run out early next year because they are sharing with IDPs.
Food aid has not been distributed to Yuai although it has been brought to Matot in Uror County.
However, humanitarians have distributed emergency rations of protein paste for malnourished children in Yuai.
A community health worker in a clinic in Yuai told Radio Tamazuj that last month they saw numerous cases of moderate acute malnutrition among children and one case of severe acute malnutrition.
The IDPs mostly live with relatives in the host community.
IDPs say they also need fishing hooks, fishing lines, cooking utensils, water filters, and farming tools.
Photo: Map of Jonglei State with Uror County.
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