More than 70 conflict-displaced people on Wednesday stormed the office of Torit County Commissioner and occupied the compound to demand aid assistance.
The displaced people, mostly women and children, are now sheltering at the Torit County headquarters in Eastern Equatoria State. They are all from Omorwo village of Bur Payam.
On 18 December 2022, inter-communal conflict erupted between the Omorwo and Ohilai communities, with both sides accusing each of targeted killings.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, a displaced woman who only identified herself as Betty said: “We came here to get help. We don’t have carpets, blankets, mosquito nets, and even there is no food and clothes.”
Jokomina Patrick, a 76-year-old displaced person, said the inter-communal violence has left many people homeless.
“I came here because of the conflict that is disturbing us. When these people clashed, I was there sick… I came here because I am suffering. Even when we were coming, I was helped; they carried me.”
John Emilio, the Sub-Chief of Omorwo Boma, said since the conflict erupted in the area, there has not been any government intervention with food and non-food items.
According to the community leader, citizens in the area are still hiding in the bush amid harsh humanitarian conditions.
“We brought the report to them, and they even went to our village there and took pictures of the burnt houses and foodstuffs, but nothing has been done. Our situation is bad, and our children are suffering there in the bush,” Emilio said.
For his part, Torit County Commissioner Jacob Atari Albano confirmed that 75 displaced persons stormed his office to demand humanitarian assistance.
He, however, said several letters had been sent to humanitarian agencies for intervention but no positive response so far.
“I was just surprised by the coming of the displaced persons from Omorwo, mostly women and children. They just came and stormed the office and occupied the compound, saying that they are suffering,” he said.
“We have written letters to humanitarian agencies so that they can intervene, but nothing has been done; that is why they came in large numbers,” he added.
The state government’s relief agency could not immediately be reached for comment.