More than 1,480 South Sudanese citizens who fled fighting in Sudan to the Ruweng Administrative Area in northern South Sudan are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, local officials said.
Pariang Mayor Miading Chol Dongwei confirmed the arrival of over 1,480 returnees and said their conditions are dreadful due to the lack of necessities. He emphasized the need for urgent support from humanitarian agencies.
“Since the conflict began in Sudan, we have been receiving returnees. While we have extended help in their resettlement, they still lack basic provisions,” he said. “We are collaborating with our partners to ensure they receive the assistance they desperately need.”
“The cost of essential commodities in the area has been escalating and the returnees have been unable to afford non-food items due to the steep rise in prices,” Mayor Chol added.
For his part, the chairperson of the Ruweng Administrative Area Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), Gabriel Yach, echoed the plea for aid, saying the influx of large numbers of returnees has strained Pariang town.
“We have witnessed a significant influx of returnees, with 456 households and an additional 1,480 individuals arriving in Pariang and Abiemnhom towns,” Yach revealed. “These people are facing dire circumstances and are in urgent need of sustenance and shelter.”
“Furthermore, we are in dire need of a measles vaccination campaign to safeguard the lives of vulnerable children,” he added.
Meanwhile, Awen John, a resident of the Ruweng Administrative Area who has been supporting the returnees, confirmed their fragile situation and said they lack food and shelter.
“People started arriving in May without food or shelter. Life is difficult. Imagine the difficult journey all the way home from a war zone only to stay in the open,” he lamented. “We are suffering as the people who received returnees because they are here without food or shelter.”
“We initiated contact with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) at the beginning of July, as we have relatives among the returnees who fled the conflict in Sudan,” Awen added.
He said many of the returnees who made their way to Renk and Malakal are expected to arrive through Nyaruop Port in Koch County.
“To date, there has been no progress because they (returnees) were supposed to arrive in Parinag town. The returnees are reported to have arrived in Rubkona County of Unity State,” Awen explained. “IOM is in the process of organizing transport through Nyaruop port in Koch County. This initiative commenced three months ago when the conflict erupted in Sudan.”
For his part, John Magok, a returnee, said they had harrowing experiences while fleeing Sudan and lost many children and belongings along the way. He implored the UN agencies and NGOs to intervene and provide essential food and medicines.