Authorities in Western Equatoria State said the escalating conflict in Tombura and the dire humanitarian crisis in the area is forcing the IDPs out of the camp.

By Emmanuel Mandella

Over 20,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were previously sheltered in Tombura County have fled to Nagero County in search of refuge.

Authorities in Western Equatoria State said the escalating conflict in Tombura and the dire humanitarian crisis in the area is forcing the IDPs out of the camp.

John Kosa Kondo, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) Coordinator in Nagero County said they have so far registered 15,581 households, totaling 20,237 individuals.

The IDPs are sheltering in Duma Payam, Nzara Area and other designated camps across the county.

The situation remains dire, with thousands of families lacking necessities such as food, water, and shelter. Many IDPs are forced to sleep under trees without blankets, exposed to the elements.

“Farming was disrupted during their journey, and now hunger is escalating at an alarming rate,” Kosa said.

Health conditions among the displaced population are deteriorating rapidly as reports indicate a rising number of malaria and pneumonia cases, particularly among children and the elderly, amid a critical shortage of medicine.

“There are insufficient medicine to treat diseases. Coughs and respiratory infections are rampant,” Kosa explained.

The crisis has prompted the local Churches, youth groups, and government leaders including the members of parliament to start mobilization of food donations to assist the IDPs.

Despite these efforts, the growing needs far outweigh the support currently available, especially as new arrivals are registered daily.

In the breakdown of IDPs per Camp, Duma Payam Camp is sheltering 7,000 households totaling 9,100 individuals.

 Namutina Side Camp has 1,424 households with 8,544 individuals and other Camps such as Nagero Central Payam and surrounding areas are yet to be documented.

 “These people are suffering immensely. The situation requires urgent intervention to save lives. Humanitarian agencies must act quickly to deliver food, medicine, and clean water,” Kosa stressed.

Local authorities and humanitarian partners are calling for swift action to avert further tragedy, as the displaced people continue to struggle for survival amid one of the region’s worst humanitarian crises.

“Farming was disrupted during their journey, and now hunger is escalating at an alarming rate,” said John Kosa Kondo, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) Coordinator in Nagero County.