Approximately 22,500 people have sought refuge at the UN base in Bentiu, fearing an imminent attack by the SPLA to retake the town.

Before the opposition forces took the town in mid-April, the camp provided shelter to 8,000 people. After the massacre of several hundred people in the town, according to the UN, the camp received a huge new influx of people.

The overpopulation of the camp site, referred to by the UN as a ‘Protection of Civilians’ zone, poses health problems for the people because of the potential for contaminated water owing to open defecation.

According to James Ray, the Water and Sanitation Advisor in Bentiu for the aid organization Medair, there is only one latrine per 220 people, compared to a normal humanitarian standard of 1 per 20.

“We are working with other organisations toward a goal of providing one per 50 people for this initial period,” he said.

Ray says that Medair is planning to construct 180 latrines and install a 20,000-litre water system with 18 taps which connect to a borehole.

He adds that people are also struggling to make for themselves waterproof shelters as the rains arrive: “Shelter is a challenge. The shelters that people have constructed are not waterproof, so many are asking for plastic sheeting for protection from the rain, though I think they are using local methods to cope with this too.”

“The biggest needs are clean water, latrines, and hygiene training so people know how to clean jerry cans and use latrines,” he added.

Ray noticed, “People seem relaxed in the base. They are cautious about leaving the camp because of security reasons, but they do leave. Given the circumstances, the mood is generally good.”

Photo credit: James Ray, Medair