Local authorities in Duk County, Jonglei State, have appealed for aid for thousands of people displaced by last week’s deadly raid on Poktap town.
28 people were killed and 18 others injured while 7, 000 head of cattle was raided when assailants suspected to be from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area 9GPAA) attacked cattle camps in Duk County’s Poktap on Thursday afternoon.
County Commissioner, Peter Latjor Chuol told Radio Tamazuj the attack has worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in the county.
“People are suffering in Poktap. Those whose cattle were taken are now suffering in schools and under trees without food,” Latjor said. “Those displaced from Ageer and Payuel areas are over 5000 mainly children, women, and the already”.
The county commissioner appealed to humanitarian and relief agencies operating in the country to help the local population. He said majority of the affected people are extremely vulnerable after losing their livestock, their main source of livelihoods.
Elijah Mocnom Wuor, Deputy Head of the State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) described the situation as “dire”.
“Humanitarian situation is not good in Kadiang and Poktap. People have been displaced within the area without food and shelter. In Thursday’s attack in Poktap, all cattle were taken”.
He said some 20, 000 people in Kadiang and Poktap villages lack food and appealed for immediate intervention.
UNMISS calls for peace
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in a press statement released on Sunday condemned the violence in Jonglei State in the recent months, particularly the attack in Duk Padiet county on 4 January 2024, which was reportedly triggered by a cattle raid and resulted in a number of civilian casualties.
“UNMISS is engaging National, State and County authorities in order to de-escalate the situation. UNMISS calls on all parties involved to cease the violence, avoid reprisal attacks and resort to peaceful means to resolve their grievances,” the statement said.
The Mission urged the Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area authorities to enter into dialogue, bring the perpetrators to justice, and prevent further violence.