Peter Makuoth Malual, Information Minister in the proposed Southern Liech State says he is deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation for nearly 7,000 civilians who are trapped in the conflict-hit town of Leer.
Makuoth told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that about 7,000 people mostly women and children are facing ‘dire’ humanitarian conditions due to shortages of food and other basic services, amid absence of humanitarian organizations in Lear town and surrounding areas.
The local official further said the conflict-affected people were experiencing acute shortages of consumer goods, beside the lack of food and medicine due to insecurity in the state.
The state minister called on the national government in Juba to invite relief agencies to return to the town of Leer, claiming the security situation returned to normal these days.
“I urge the government to appeal to the humanitarian organizations so that they can return and help the needy people, because they need something to eat, they need medicines, so all these things are not available right now,”said Makuoth.
International NGOs had evacuated their staff from the area after clashes erupted between government troops and opposition fighters in recent months.