Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled the disputed area of Abyei over violence there are currently living in a dire humanitarian situation in Aweil Center County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, a representative of the IDPs said.
About two weeks ago, more than 40 people were reported killed in Abyei by suspected armed Misseriya tribesmen in separate attacks. The violence displaced thousands of inhabitants into bushes and neighbouring communities.
Santino Bol Kuol, the representative of the IDPs who fled to Aweil Centre County, told Radio Tamazuj that the living conditions of the mostly women and children population is horrible. He said they need shelter, medicine and food.
“174 households have arrived in Aweil from Abyei and still others are coming. Some people called me that two more Lorries were heading to Aweil from Abyei but I don’t know the exact number in those Lorries,” he said. “Our living conditions are terrible like last night’s rain has forced us to seek shelter at a certain church which also leaked waters on us.”
“There are no raincoats, no food and seven children were admitted to a hospital because of malaria,” Kuol added.
For his part, the Chairperson of the State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, who visited the IDPs in Rumanguooth Boma, said his office will carry out an assessment to know the number of those sheltering in the area for any emergency support.
Dut Majokdit Nyikok, described the living conditions there as dire.
“I talked to humanitarian organizations that are operating in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State such as World Food Program to make sure that to make an assessment this week for them so that they can be assisted,” Nyikok stated.