‘We survived on wild fruits’, 89 IDPs painfully narrate after five months in forest
By Emmanuel Mandella
A group of internally displaced persons in Western Equatoria State have narrated their painful ordeals of how they survived in the forest for five months after former Governor, Alfred Futuyo was removed from the position.
The 89 persons, while being received by their leaders, said they survived on wild fruits and leaves during the five months of hiding. The group included women, children, and the elderly.
Following the removal of Governor Futuyo by President Salva Kiir in February this year, the existence of a power vacuum led to clashes between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters in areas such as Li-Rangu and the Bangazagino corridor, triggering mass displacement and fear. Many residences flee to the forests.
“We’ve received about 89 IDPs so far. More are still arriving from areas like Rirangu and Mboringa. Another 40 are expected from Bangasu Payam and these people have gone through unimaginable suffering to reach here in Yambio,” said Hon. Bakoyogo James Severino Morris, WES Acting Governor and State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement.
The State Ministry is now working with humanitarian organizations to provide immediate support including food, medical care, and temporary shelter.
Since 2021, Western Equatoria State has been grappling with waves of displacement, initially from intercommunal conflict between the Azande and Balanda communities, and now from renewed military tensions in places such as Minga Payam in Mundri East, Zomai and other parts of Nagero County since January this year.
The February 10 conflict alone forced thousands to flee their homes in Nadiangere and surrounding areas, swelling the number of displaced persons seeking safety in places like Yambio and Nzara Counties.
Many of the recently rescued IDPs shared harrowing accounts of how they scavenged through the forest to stay alive and managed to reach the state capital.
“We only ate whatever the forest gave us; fruits, bitter roots, and sometimes just water, I didn’t know if we would survive to see another day,” said a 39-year-old mother of four, her voice trembling.
The state government struggles to address the needs of its displaced population. Aid agencies have noted critical shortages of food, medical supplies, clean water, and psycho-social support for traumatized individuals, especially children who are at risk of malnutrition and disease.
However, local officials have called on national and international partners to scale up humanitarian interventions before the rainy season worsens.
“We are overwhelmed. The state cannot manage this crisis alone and we urge the humanitarian community and our national government to urgently respond to this disaster,” Minister Bakoyoko Morris admitted.
As more survivors continue to trickle in from the forests of Nadiangere, Bangasu, and Mboringa, their stories highlight the silent suffering of country’s struggling displaced individuals and the ripple effects of inter-communal clashes.
