The humanitarian situation in Longechuk County of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state is dire as the county remains cut off without basic services for months, officials and residents said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, Commissioner Dak Tut Dey of Longechuk County said the dire humanitarian situation induced by the floods is forcing local populations to flee to neighboring countries.
“Last year, we were one of the counties affected by the floods. So, locals had to rely on relief food but that has not been coming since November,” Dak said. “Again, we are running out of commodities like cooking oil, sugar, and flour.”
He added, “Only sorghum is now available at the market. A sack of sorghum sells at 4000 Birr ($80), and a 5kg sugar is at 7,000 SSP (I,700 Birr). There is no cooking oil at all. Now, locals are crossing to Ethiopia and some to Sudan through Paloch town.”
The local official called on the aid agencies and the business community to assess the situation and urgently intervene.
Elizabeth Nyamuch, a resident, said they have stayed for months without food. She called on the humanitarian agencies to come to their aid.
For his part, Thuok Hok Dar, the county Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator, also called for a humanitarian intervention to rescue thousands of hunger-stricken residents.