Leap for Life donates food, non-food items to Magwi IDPs

Leap for Life, a national Non-Governmental Organization in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State has donated some food and non-food items to internally displaced persons in Magwi County.

The IDPs have been displaced from Agoro and Iwire Payams of Magwi County due to the recent conflict between the host community and herders.

On Wednesday evening, the cattle keepers advanced their attack on Abara Boma in Magwi County, five people were reported killed, several houses burnt, and an unknown number of cattle belonging to some individuals were also raided.

The incident happened after unidentified cattle raiders attack cattle camps in Nyolo village killing 23 people and 27 others were wounded. However, before this incident, the cattle keepers had attacked Agoro-Chomboro village diaplacing over 4000 people to Magwi town.

Currently, there are over 10,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are sheltering in Magwi town after they were forced to flee their homes in Agoro, Ayii, Nyolo and Abara.

The items donated by the local organization include 10 bags of flour, 4 bags of sugar, 3 bags of beans, 4 jerry cans of cooking oil, 3 sacks of onions, tea leaves, and 4 bags of lentils.

Speaking to The City Review on Friday, Engr. Norman Charles Gideon who represents the Organization in Torit said, “this organization is working towards providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons.”

“Like yesterday when we heard about people who have been displaced people from their homes or their villages, we came down to Magwi, I communicated to the Commissioner and he welcomed us and then we took basic items like food and tents to help the people,” he said.

The organization representative affirms that the initiative was an emergency response to the situation on the ground and pledges for more assistance once they receive another support.

“This was an emergency package that we were able to deliver yesterday and then we are waiting for another more support,” said Engr Norman.

For his part, Magwi County Commissioner Otto David Remson confirmed the donation and applauded every organization and individual that has contributed to rescuing the suffering IDPs in Magwi.

 “It is not enough; we still call a lot of all these because the number is going and going and going. So, I declare as County Commissioner for any person or humanitarian aid that they have any possible ways of helping this community is entitled. These IDPs need assistance for food and non-food items and the protection,” he said.

Eastern Equatoria State’s Governor Louis Lobong Lojore on Thursday called on the national government to intervene through the deployment of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

However, Governor Lobong said, if no action has been taken by the national government to rescue the situation, Eastern Equatoria State could be forced to mobilize local defense to protect the people of Magwi County.