Nuba refugees who fled recently from Werni in eastern South Kordofan say they escaped war and famine but now face hunger and neglect by NGOs in South Sudan.

Most refugees from South Kordofan fled across South Sudan’s north-central border into Unity State, but some recent arrivals have instead crossed eastward into Upper Nile State.

About 1,000 refugees have reached the west bank of the Nile River near Malakal. They are temporarily staying at a place called Lelo awaiting relocation elsewhere.

They confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that the Sudan Air Force had been bombing their home areas in the eastern Nuba Mountains, forcing them to flee their farms.

Adam Bakhit, who spoke on behalf of the refugees, said, “Since we came here we have received no food, no medicines, and no tents, and we’re being washed by rain.”

He added that many of the children and the elderly are sick and hungry due to exposure to cold conditions.

A woman at the new settlement who identified herself as Zahra Sebit said that her two children died whilst en route: “I fled with my family from Werni to South Sudan because of hunger when I was on my way I lost my two children due to hunger and fatigue.”

Another refugee, Mahdi Marko, explained, “In South Sudan we are suffering from lack of food and this large number of refugees who fled to South Sudan is starving and the hunger is still forcing those who are in Kordofan to flee despite poor roads.”

The host community and some fellow Nuba have tried to help the new arrivals, mainly in terms of shelter, according to refugees living at Lelo.

Executive Director of Lelo Payam Richard Ju said in an interview that the condition of the refugees is critically bad.

“The policy of UNCHR is not fast – they came here for assessment but I urged them to quickly help these suffering refugees with their basic needs,” said the official.

Refugee leader Adam Bakhit said that UNCHR sent staff “only to laugh at them,” noting that they carried out an assessment and since have not returned.

Photo: Sudanese refugees at Lelo, Upper Nile State, 3 October 2013  (Radio Tamazuj)

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