IDPs seeking refuge in Magwi now exceed 4,000

The number of internally displaced people from Agoro and  Omeo seeking refuge in Magwi Town has reached 4,945 people, authorities have said.

This comes after cattle herders launched an attack in the area of Agoro-Chomboro last Wednesday, displacing over 2,000 people at the onset of the conflict.

The attack has caused fear among the host communities, forcing others to return to their camps while others ran to Magwi town.

Executive Director of Magwi County, Ocheng David Tokwaro, told The City Review on Sunday that the displacement comes as a result of the poor relationship between the cattle keepers and the host communities.

“There is an increment, but I have not yet confirmed it,” Ocheng said, adding that he would confirm the figures from the RRC.

 “The relationship between the cattle herders and the host community is not good because they are scaring them with bad words, intimidating them and even destroying the fields these are the kinds of scenarios that make them move away,” said Ocheng.

Meanwhile, Eastern Equatoria State’s Minister of Information and Communication, Patrick Oting Cyprian, confirmed the rise in the number of IDPs in Magwi town.

“According to the registration, they have registered nine hundred and nine households, which is around 4,945 people. That is what they registered as of yesterday, “said Oting.

Oting who is also the state government spokesperson disclosed that the state is working hard to ensure the basic needs of the people are met to rescue the situation of the people affected.

“It is true people are fleeing from the area of Agoro and Omeo. Currently, they are in Magwi, and some of them have relatives, but most of them are without people around [them]. The local authorities within the county are meeting some needs, “he said.

 “Some promises were given formally by UNHCR but roughly at the state level, we are waiting for concrete reports from the commissioner, and then we will also raise it to the relevant institutions for them to see the basic needs of the people are met,” Oting said.