Residents of Eastern Equatoria’s Kapoeta East County have said that the area has been hit by an acute shortage of clean drinking water due to the prevailing dry season.
Martha Nangolio, a women leader in Kapoeta East County lamented that the few boreholes are not sufficient in serving the large population and said that women at times clash and fight while struggling to fetch water.
“This water is little and not enough for the population. Some water sources are spoiled because there are very many people. Getting water is very difficult because people are struggling and fighting and if you come late, you cannot get water. We need organizations to help us in regards to the issue of water,” Nangolio explained.
Clement Otto, a resident, said the locals dig very deep holes to harvest water and that the cost of water in the area has become unaffordable.
“The way we are digging for water in the ground is very difficult. In the whole of our area, the issue of water is very difficult. Here in Kapoeta water is now 100 SSP per jerrycan,” Otto said.
The Executive Director for Kapoeta East County, Juma Justine, said most of the boreholes in the area have broken down. He appealed to non-governmental organizations to intervene.
“Our biggest problem here is the issue of water that is why I am asking any organization based in the state of South Sudan that deals with water to come to our rescue. We have over 336 boreholes in Kapoeta East County but more than 100 boreholes got spoilt so we need spare parts,” Juma said.
“As you know, there is no water in this area. No river. I need these organizations if there is any that can help us in spare parts, to help us because we are suffering a lot. Cattle drink the same water as humans and these animals are very many and they need water. The dry season has come and animals are thirsty and human beings are also thirsty,” Juma added.