'We survive on wild leaves' Tonj displaced say as they call for urgent aid

©radiotamazuj.org

More than 25,000 people displaced by intercommunal fighting in areas of Tonj North and Gogrial East counties of South Sudan's Warrap state are appealing for humanitarian assistance, as they survive on wild leaves and lack basic needs.

The neighboring counties have been entwined in recurrent inter-communal violence since last year, leaving many dead and thousands displaced.

Early this month, 10 people were killed and many wounded in fighting between the Noi and Leer community.

The displaced, reported to be at Luonyaker, Majak Tiit, and Mayom Biong areas have been displaced by the recent fighting.

"Our situation is dire and we are with children. We are displaced by inter-communal fighting. All our people are fighting each other. We are now eating wild leaves and fruits. We arrived here last Saturday and we are about 7,000 in number. We fled because people were fighting and we are now in Luonyaker," Mary Brimo, one of the displaced persons currently in Luonyaker spoke to Radio Tamazuj on Friday. 

Brimo describes the recent fighting as brutal as compared to other clashes where women and children were spared, "The fighting now has extended to the killing of women and children." 

Another displaced woman at Luonyaker in Gogrial East, Ferrino Paul, who fled on foot from Awul said their situation was dire especially for children who lack food and have to sleep in the cold. 

"I am coming from an area of Awul county. We ran away from there because there is fighting in that area so we decided to come here with the children. Our situation is bad, we have don’t have anything to eat, we sleep in very severe cold with kids, we only eat wild leaves," she narrated.

She appealed to both the state and national governments as well as well-wishers to assist them with food and shelter.

Yuot Deng Yuot, who is the Secretary for South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) in Gogrial East confirmed the arrival of the internally displaced persons to Gogrial East areas from Tonj North.

Yout says the influx of internally displaced people from Tonj North to Gogrial East began in early January and has been steady since then.

"In Luonyaker we have 7,004 displaced people, Majak Tiit we have 7,900 displaced people, Mayom Biong we have 10,494," he said.

He further confirmed that the humanitarian situation of the displaced persons is desperate particularly for children and the elderly who depend on wild leaves for survival.

"The situation is bad for them. They are eating wild fruits, some of them go to the people they know and beg, some sell firewood and some sell water in the Luonyaker market," he added.

The RRC official said his office is working with other humanitarian organizations in the area to intervene.

The Executive Director of the defunct Apuk South County, Joseph Manut, disclosed that they were only able to provide some sorghum and groundnuts to some children whom they deemed most vulnerable.

"Concerning children we have given little sorghum and groundnuts and this is not for everybody because the number which is present here is huge. We have here in Luonyaker 7,004 people and also other towns have a huge number of people and so here we only tried to do something to those who are too vulnerable," he said.

Manut noted that the state government is aware of the situation and is working to consolidate humanitarian assistance for the displaced.

Last Thursday, the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it had received reports of sporadic intercommunal conflict caused by cattle raiding in Greater Tonj, in the Warrap State of South Sudan which has led to deaths, injuries, and displacement.

UNMISS said it was closely monitoring the situation and preparing to intensify patrols and establish a temporary operating base in the Tonj area to reduce tensions and build confidence. 

The mission further said it is stepping up its community sensitization activities in Warrap through peace campaigns intended to raise awareness among residents on the need for social cohesion.