JUBA – Authorities in Western Equatoria State has appealed to humanitarian agencies and government to urgently deliver assistance to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Namatina Payam of Tombura County.

The IDPs fled the recent inter-communal fights in the county’s headquarters and surrounding villages for safety in the area about 40 miles northwest of Tombura town.

The area has continued to receive an influx of IDPs on daily basis, most of whom are women, children, and elderly groups with no humanitarian assistance since the onset of the conflict, the state Minister of Information, William Baiki Adriano told City Review on Tuesday.

“We visited Namatina on Sunday as a team of government officials. To our dismay, we found that there are over 70, 000 IDPs camped at schools, churches, and a store that was built by the AHA and their situation was dire. They have no drinking water, food, and shelters,” Baiki said.

“The number of the IDPs keeps increasing daily, more of them were expected to arrive on Sunday to the area that is already hosting an influx of IDPs. That is why we are urging humanitarian agencies to urgently save a life by delivering assistance,” he stressed.

Tombura County descended into ethnic clashes in early May 2021 this year, when Balanda and Azande communities engaged confronted each other, forcing thousands to flee from the villages around the town.

Thousands of residents also fled to neighboring towns of Ezo and the state capital, Yambio. Others went as far as Western Bahr El-Ghazal State capital, Wau.

It was yet unclear what triggered the conflict between the two communities that have co-existed for many years.

However, the conflict has been purported as politicians’ driven violence with some government officials at the state and national levels being accused, including some SPLA-IO forces loyal to Gen. James Nando who shifted allegiance to SSPDF in 2019 but were never integrated.

“These people of IDPs are the only displaced persons with no access to healthcare. We appealed to armed Balanda and Azande youth to cease hostilities immediacy to allow free movement between Namatina and Tombura town so that the IDPs can access medication and other basic needs,” Baiki said.

Thanks for reading! Got a story or article you want us to publish? Reach us on +211929321063, or send us an email at info@cityreviewss.com. To book your advertisement space, contact our sales team at advertising@cityreviewss.com.