Around twenty internally displaced people die from hunger and disease in South Sudan

MADRID Jan. 7 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Around twenty internally displaced South Sudanese, including ten children, have died from hunger and disease since the end of December in the Alabek Payam camp in North Tonj county, local authorities have reported.

The acting commissioner of Tonj Norte, Daniel Magar, has indicated in statements to the radio station Radio Tamazuj that the displaced persons camp needs “special and urgent” attention, pointing out that the lack of medicines and food shortages are the main challenges, although Floods have made it difficult to deliver aid.

“Right now, the health situation in the Alabek IDP camp is terrible, because the population has been overwhelmed by floods for more than three months and children are dying. People are suffering from hunger and various diseases, including malaria, and lacks adequate shelter,” he declared.

For his part, the director of the North Tonj Health Department, John Akot, has confirmed that the humanitarian situation in the camp is deteriorating due to natural disasters. “It is difficult to reach some areas due to flooding and poor roads. In addition, some of these areas lack health services,” he indicated.

Likewise, he has emphasized that the insecurity in the area makes it “difficult” for health workers to come and provide their services, at a time when the population is fleeing and the facilities are being vandalized.

Despite the decrease in violence due to political conflict after the 2018 peace agreement, South Sudan has seen an increase in inter-community clashes, mainly motivated by livestock theft and disputes between herders and farmers in the most fertile areas of the country. country, especially due to the increase in desertification and the displacement of populations.