Authorities in Jebel Boma County of Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) have appealed for the provision of clean drinking water in the Raat area.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Alston Longony, the Jebel Boma County commissioner, said residents had no access to clean water due to pollution allegedly caused by mining activities along the Raat River.
“On the Ethiopian side of the border, some companies are mining gold along the same river which flows down to Raat town,” Longony claimed. “Now, the water is polluted and people just take it.”
He pointed out that several residents have been presenting with watery diarrhea and vomiting after consuming the water from the river and that at least 15 people have died since April.
“There are no other sources. There is a population of 3,000 there who rely on this dirty water that’s why they develop diarrhea and vomiting. So far, 15 people have died. Our appeal is for the clean water to be provided because the situation is terrible,” he said.
For his part, John Achon, the GPAA health minister, said they are aware but that they could not intervene because they lack capacity. He earnestly pleaded with the national health ministry and the aid agencies operating in the country to come to their aid by conducting assessments and providing the much-needed services.