South Sudan’s Lobonok IDPs desperate for aid
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled cattle keepers’ attacks in Kit One, Kit Four, and Sinduru in Gumbo’s Lobonok Payam are appealing for humanitarian assistance.
The IDPs have been living in a deplorable condition since they arrived in Gumbo a month ago after herders encroached on their villages.
“[I am] quite disappointed as the head of the IDPs here because these individuals were attacked last month and some of them perished, but we have never seen any government support since they arrived.” Some of us wonder if the country even has a government, “said Loro Everesto, who is the chairman of Lobonok Payam IDPs in Gumbo.
He was addressing some delegates from the Central Equatoria State government who visited the IDPs in Gumbo on Tuesday.
“We just watched Juba Catholic Archbishop Bishop Stephen Ameyu bring enough food to be distributed to all of these innocent IDPIPDs, but since the committee is from the other side, my people end up not getting even a bottle of cooking oil,” he protested.
Nothing available
“They do not have any food, and mats and blankets are not available. I am not sure why no one seems to be concerned about their dilemma. Nevertheless, we act as if the country has no government. IDPs are confused as to why they have been forced to flee their homes. Others think it is because their representatives are not in power, “Loro added.
He further protested the tribal approach by caregivers who only worry about the members of their communities. For instance, he claimed that over 1,000 food items supplied by Archbishop Ameyu did not reach the hands of his IDPs. He said the IDPs were depending on close family members to stay alive.
He urged the administration to exercise caution when serving the people, warning that discrimination in the country would widen the inequality gap even further.
Rebecca Itee, the IDPs’ spokeswoman, lamented that it was heartbreaking to witness women, children, and elderly people continuing to suffer in the sight of the government.
She told the government to find sustainable solutions to the problem to ensure prevalent peace.
“These elderly women and men all suffered while fighting for the country’s independence, but today no one cares to give them a mere respect.”
Cirisio Zakaria, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Education and Instruction, was remorseful to the situation of the IDPs but maintained that ‘their sons and daughters had run out of options to solve the problem.
“As sons of this state, we are surprised to see you suffering because you have no home. However, I must tell you that the situation is beyond the control of your sons and daughters,’’ Zakaria lamented.
“President Kiir, as you may recall, issued instructions to remove cattle from the Equatoria region, and these people never pay attention. Our government representatives went to Lobonok last month and told cattle keepers to return to their pastures, but they never did, “he added.
The state minister urged the IDPs to remain patient while the government seeks long-term solutions to their plight.
He also encouraged Lobonok residents, friends, and well-wishers to join hands and donate food and non-food goods to the IDPs. He said the situation requires immediate action.
