Eastern Equatoria women donate food, non-food items to Magwi IDPs

Eastern Equatoria State’s Women’s Association has donated food and non-food items to support the citizens affected by the recent series of violent events in Magwi County.

The donation targets people who have been affected by the conflict created by the presence of cattle herders in such areas. Beneficiaries are those whose homes were set on fire and who was forced to flee empty-handed.

The items donated include six bags of maize flour, five bags of rice, onions, and one million fish, among other items, plus clothes.

Davidika Ikai, Acting Chairlady for Eastern Equatoria State’s Women’s Association, confirmed the contribution as she applauds those who have extended a helping hand into supporting those affected by violence in Magwi.

“As women, we have collected some items and I want to say thank you to those who have contributed to help the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Magwi.” said Ikai.

Ikai called on the people of the State to always turn up to support the vulnerable when certain conditions arise.

“I want to tell our people of Eastern Equatoria State, please when one is in a condition, let us not watch but join hands and contribute even little because the little can be much, let us help our people. No one dreamed the suffering there would come to them, so when one is faced with conditions, let us all stand with them and give our helping hand” said Ikai.

 Flora Sebit Jada, Executive Director of Women Agency for Progress Organization (WAPO), commended the initiative for helping to heal the broken hearts of the displaced people.

Flora also urged the government to provide security to encourage people to return home and rebuild themselves and their homes.

“It is a good initiative. If something happens to your neighbour, you must run and rescue, it is a very good initiative, which I appreciate, and the most important thing is actually the security according to me because we cannot continue giving assistance without looking at how to mitigate the conflict or how to address it, “she said.

“I am appealing for more support, she is also urging the government to respond in terms of providing full security for these people to at last regain their freedom, go back and resettle themselves” Flora added.

The conflict in Ayii, Agoro, Dabur, and Abara forced more than 15,000 IDPs to camp in Magwi Payam while others moved to the nearby areas in such of refuge.

The government of Eastern Equatoria State had earlier provided about 200 bags of rice to help the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Magwi.

However, authorities of Magwi County have confirmed that some IDPs have started returning home after calm has been restored.