Abiemnhom County of Ruweng Administrative Area is currently facing a dire humanitarian situation as more than 300 South Sudanese returnees urgently seek assistance after their arrival from Sudan.
The ongoing fighting in Sudan, which began on 15th April, has forced these returnees and refugees to seek shelter in parts of South Sudan.
Awein Arop, a representative of the returnees, spoke to Radio Tamazuj and shed light on their plight.
She emphasized the desperate conditions they are facing, stating, “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. We are really suffering without food or shelter.” Awein pleaded for immediate aid, urging the government and aid agencies to provide shelters for the vulnerable returnees.
John Wein Goch, another returnee, also shared his distressing experience, revealing that they lost many children during their arduous journey to South Sudan, along with personal belongings. He pointed out that a significant problem affecting the returnees in Abiemnhom County is the shortage of medicine. He called upon UN agencies and national NGOs to step in and provide food and medicine to alleviate their suffering.
The journey from Sudan to South Sudan was challenging, with the returnees traveling from Sudan to Renk County and then to Wau before reaching Abiemnhom in the second week of July.
Mariop Dau, the Abiemnhom County commissioner, confirmed that they have received over 332 returnees, but the conditions they are facing remain dire due to the lack of basic necessities. He highlighted the efforts made by the county to assist the returnees in settling down but stressed the need for external support from partners and aid agencies.
“When the war started in Sudan, we started receiving returnees. Since they arrived, we have helped settle them but nothing has been provided to them. We are engaging our partners so that they come to their aid,” Mariop said.
James Manyjuet, the county Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator, also added his voice to the plea for aid. He revealed that a large influx of returnees from Sudan has overwhelmed Abiemnom town.
“We received a large influx of returnees with 90 households and 332 more returnees in Abiemnhom town,” he said. “These people are miserable and they need food and shelter. We also need a measles vaccination campaign to rescue the lives of the children.”