The Eastern Equatoria State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) has launched the mobilization of resources to alleviate the suffering of the over 25,000 people rendered destitute by cattle rustlers.
The members of the Toposa community, who depend on livestock for a livelihood, were rendered vulnerable to hunger and diseases, among others, after their livestock were stolen.
Armed Murle community youth from greater Pibor, estimated to be up to 10,000, on April 23, 2024 attacked Kauto Payam of Kapoeta East and escaped with over 16,000 cattle. The attackers also abducted 90 women and children, killed 32 people and injured 22 others during the two-day battle. The whereabouts of those abducted remain unknown.
Following the raid, the government and local NGOs sent a team to assess the situation and found the population in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Eastern Equatoria State RRC chairperson Augustine Okuma said they were now mobilizing materials like clothes, food and medicine for the affected populations.
“We have not quantified the help in monetary terms because food items and medicine can be taken to the people as the initial response to those who are most vulnerable, Okuma said.
He, however, said that long-term intervention would be required.
“The affected population is very big and some of the people have now crossed into Ethiopia for services,” he said.
On how much the state government was offering, the official said a meeting was held with the humanitarian partners last month in which they were advised to consult their head offices to establish the level of their support and the gap to be filled by the government.
A civil society activist in Torit, Otema Dikens, said the mobilization of resources should be done faster to avert deaths from hunger
“Once the community is assisted, they will resume their normal lives,” he said, adding that people should live in peace in South Sudan.