Upper Nile State Minister of Information Philip Jiben says that the capital of the state is again secure but that it now faces challenges especially in terms of healthcare and housing, in the wake of the massive displacement and destruction in the city.
“The security situation is good in the state and people are beginning to return to their houses. On the other hand, a very big number of people are still staying inside of churches, but the situation in the city is quite secure. SPLA is controlling the area,” Jiben said.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, he described the visit of a high-level delegation to the city: “As I’m speaking to you now I’ve just come from meeting the delegation that came from Juba to see those places – the hospital and the Catholic Church in the middle of Mudiria, and all the churches.”
“The delegation was headed by the president of the Council of States, Joseph Bol Chan, with membership of the Minister of Education Dr. John Yoah, and Minister of Telecommunications Rebecca Joshua Okwachi, and members of the Council of States, as well as the head of the opposition in the Parliament, Onyoti Adigo,” he explained.
He stated also, “the situation at the hospital is not encouraging because there are some shortages of medicines.” He further noted the houses of many citizens had been burned as well as the offices and homes of ministers and the governor.
Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) says that its warehouses in Malakal have been almost entirely emptied by looters during the recent fighting.
Spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs explained at a press briefing in Geneva that the agency was working to recover lost stocks wherever possible and trying to protect remaining stocks.
Photo: Internally displaced people are gathered in a Catholic church in Malakal, South Sudan, January 21, 2014. (Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)
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