Maridi wildfire victims in need of help

Several households are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Maridi County of Western Equatoria State after wildfires consumed their homes and properties, according to local authorities.

Several households are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Maridi County of Western Equatoria State after wildfires consumed their homes and properties, according to local authorities. 

Wildfires ravaged several villages in Maridi County earlier this month, razing more than 100 houses. 

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj over the weekend, the Executive Director of Maridi County, John Ezakia, said the now homeless people are sheltering under trees and require urgent humanitarian assistance.

“Based on our assessment, with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission on the ground, we have found out that one person died as a result of the fire,” Commissioner Ezakia said. “There are about 100 houses which got burnt in different places and so they are staying at the police station and in the churches so there is need to support them.” 

He said the local government in the county cannot support the victims and called on the state government to intervene.

“Since January we have been carrying out awareness campaigns among the people using the local radio Maridi FM that they should not burn the bush because it will affect people, even those clearing gardens because there are a lot of bushes in Western Equatoria. We even advised them to tell children not to burn the bush,” Ezakia said. 

Lucia Gumbira said her belongings got burnt and that her family is left with nothing. 

“We are just sleeping like this without shelter, only under the mango tree. We need help, we need bed sheets, saucepans, and shelter. I appeal to the NGOs and the government to help us. Let people not set fire anyhow to burn houses like this,” Lucia said.

The RRC Coordinator in Maridi said 11 villages in Maridi were affected by the wildfire.

“We have a total of 3552 people that are affected based on the assessment we have done. The expectation of the victims is Shelter, and farms have been burned, so they need food and water,” he said.