Flooding, food shortages and limited access to healthcare and education are worsening conditions for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Tambura County, Western Equatoria State, residents and local officials said.
Heavy rain on Tuesday flooded several IDP camps, damaging makeshift shelters and forcing some families to move to higher ground.
John Kumbo, a resident of Tambura, told Radio Tamazuj that the rain left water inside some shelters.
“All the camps are flooded. The water is everywhere, and both children and adults are struggling to move through it,” he said.
He warned that stagnant water could worsen sanitation and increase the risk of diseases such as malaria.
Peter Marko Yeni, an IDP representative, said the flooding had compounded existing problems.
“The health situation is very difficult. There are no medicines, and people rely on private clinics. Education is also a problem,” he said.
Lucy Edward, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission coordinator in Tambura, said families in 15 camps across three payams were struggling to access food and other basic assistance.
She said flooding had destroyed shelters and that food prices had risen, with a gallon of cassava selling for about 6,000 South Sudanese pounds.
“We have been in the camps for six years, and we need improvement in health services, food and non-food items, education, safety and protection,” Ms Edward said.
Residents are calling for urgent assistance, including food, medicines, shelter and improved drainage.
Tambura County has experienced years of violence and displacement, particularly since intercommunal fighting escalated in 2021, forcing thousands of people from their homes and disrupting livelihoods.
Security has improved this year, but remains fragile. In September, residents reported fears of possible attacks by SPLA-IO forces, prompting increased security patrols and a night-time curfew.
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