Over 7,858 returnees in Leer County of South Sudan’s Unity State have remained without food and shelter months after fleeing fighting in Sudan, where they had sought refuge following the 2013 civil war.
The violence in Sudan has displaced almost 4.3 million people within Sudan, while 1.2 million more have fled abroad, UN figures show.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj last Friday, several returnees said their situation was dire and appealed for immediate aid.
Nyamuch Nyuon Liah, a returnee, said she has been sheltering outside the church compound and that they haven’t received basic needs since arriving in Leer town six months ago.
“We left Khartoum in May because there was fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Our journey was arduous, and several people died our way because of the conflict and hunger,” she said. “Since we arrived in Leer town, no food, medicines, or shelter has existed. We sleep outside the church compound.”
Another returnee, James Chuol, said the humanitarian situation in Leer County is dire and also appealed for aid.
For his part, Peter Nyot, the Deputy Director of Leer County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, confirmed the terrible humanitarian situation of the returnees and said that aid agencies were being engaged to intervene.
“Leer is hosting many returnees from Khartoum and Bentiu IDPs after suspending food distribution to IDPs in the last two months. These people have yet to be assisted,” he said. “The only group which received assistance was the 6,000 individuals who arrived in May. But the number of returnees has now reached 7,858, and they lack food, shelter, and medicine.”