The state government of Central Equatoria has announced the allocation of land for a new camp on the Juba outskirts for South Sudanese fleeing violence. The new site will accommodate those who are now sheltering at UN bases in the city.
The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) who registered for humanitarian assistance at the UNMISS base in Tongping near the Juba airport reached 12,670 as of 29 December, with another 11,000 estimated to be sheltering at the so-called ‘UN House’ base on the western side of the city.
Central Equatoria State Minister of Physical Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Wongo, says that the land will be taken from a government sorghum-producing plot on the outskirts of Juba town.
Speaking on the state-run South Sudan Television on Monday, he said, “The government of Central Equoatria is giving part of the first class dura (sorghum) presidential area, which is about 18,000 square meters, to accommodate roughly 25,00 internally displaced people who are right now occupying the UNMISS premises near the airport (and at UN House).”
The plot given for the purpose lies off the Juba-Yei road. SSTV showed video of the minister visiting the site and being briefed on the plans by uniformed UNMISS officials.
OCHA, the UN humanitarian coordination agency, has not yet announced the establishment of the new site. But on Saturday the agency pointed to “the need to expand the areas hosting civilians in both Juba sites remains,” adding that “UNMISS is considering different options.”
Photo: Jimmy Wongo (right), Central Equatorial State Minister of Physical Infrastructure, surveys the new proposed site for IDPs in Juba (SSTV)