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LAINYA - 12 May 2021

Over 3,000 IDPs in Lainya County need humanitarian assistance

Ombaci IDPs under a mango tree at ECSS church in Yei (File photo Radio Tamazuj).jpg
Ombaci IDPs under a mango tree at ECSS church in Yei (File photo Radio Tamazuj).jpg

Over 3,000 internally displaced persons who are camping under desperate conditions in Wuji Boma of Lainya County in Central Equatoria State are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Last week, the Lainya County commissioner, Emmanuel Khamis Richard, told Radio Tamazuj that the residents of the area have been displaced into the bushes by pastoralists suspected to be from Terekeka County.

Clement Lemi, one of the IDPs said, “We don’t have food to eat, our houses have been burnt down and we have lost our properties to the cattle herders, currently we don’t have cooking utensils, no blankets, and washing soap.” 

Another IDP, Lemeri Joseph, on Tuesday, said that they have been sleeping under trees for the last fortnight and have no access to medical services.

“The IDPs are lacking food, clean water, shelter, and medicines especially for the children and the women, and also we are lacking other non-food items like cooking utensils,” Lemeri said.  

For his part, the Lainya County Commissioner, Emmanuel Khamis Richard, said the local government has restored calm in the area and called upon humanitarian agencies to provide emergency assistance to the IDPs.

“The people of Wuji Payam have been displaced and some of them are currently sheltering in Mundu Diocese and Mundu Primary School and the people of Korobe Boma have been displaced into Pakula,” Commissioner Khamis said. “It has sparked a serious and dire humanitarian situation and I am therefore appealing to the humanitarian agencies and well-wishers to contribute what they have to provide life-saving assistance to these people we are still receiving as IDPs in the area.”

He said the local government lacks funds and materials to provide humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable IDPs.