Citizens of Lasu Payam in South Sudan’s Yei River State have called on the United Nations and other humanitarian and health organizations operating in the country to hurriedly intervene and provide medical and food aid to them.
Due to the insecurity and closure of Yei-Lasu road, the residents told Radio Tamazuj they have been cut off and have no access to health services from Yei town or Congo. They said the situation is dire and civilians could die of hunger and treatable diseases.
Aligo Sebit, a resident of Lasu who has travelled to seek medical attention in Yei, said many people in different parts of Lasu Payam lack access to health facilities and food.
“I came from the village because I am very sick; we are suffering from various sicknesses deep in the villages. We learnt that UN was going to the area but unfortunately they did not go there to assess the humanitarian situation. Our roads are closed, we are suffering, children are suffering, others are dying and my appeal is that let them rush to rescue us,” appealed Aligo.
Victoria Tabu, another resident, said her three children and herself are suffering from malnutrition due to poor feeding.
“As you can see, my children and myself are not well. We are sick, my three children are malnourished that is why I came to Yei Hospital to be treated. We don’t have health services in our village. I am calling on WFP and WHO to rescue us in the border area,” she added.
Last week, humanitarian partners were expected to visit Lasu Payam for a humanitarian assessment but they were prevented from accessing the area by state government security operatives on allegation that the population in Lasu is supplying rebels with ammunitions despite clearance from the state governor.
Lasu Payam is located 22 miles West of Yei town at the South Sudan-Congo border. Lasu Payam was home to over 10,000 refugees from Congo and Sudan before the conflict in 2016.