At least 74 returnees who escaped the war raging in neighboring Sudan and arrived in the Wanjok area of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s Aweil East County last week have requested food and non-food aid, saying their situation is dire.
Nyibol Bol, one of the returnees, on Monday narrated to Radio Tamazuj the perils they faced when the war broke out in Sudan and the dangers and difficulties they faced on the long way back home to South Sudan.
“I was a resident of Khartoum’s Hajj Yousif suburb when the war broke out between Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in April 2023, and we managed to cross to Kordofan villages and towns like Mugladd and Fulla, among others, until we arrived in Abyei,” she said. “We then moved to Warrap State’s Twic County from where we were transported with the coordination of the Government of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State and other non-governmental organizations.”
“We have now been here in Wanjok for nine days without food, our children are crying due to hunger, so we appeal to the government and humanitarian partners to intervene and rescue us,” Nyibol added.
She said they left Khartoum with nothing and that upon arrival in South Sudan, their names were registered and they were promised assistance that has not yet been delivered.
Another returnee, Nyithoi Guet Deng, said they are living in unbearable conditions.
“We are undergoing unbearable hardships, and it is only God who knows our pain.
“We were staying in our own house in Khartoum, but when the war broke out, I was separated from my children, and I just met one of my sons yesterday (Sunday),” she said.
Meanwhile, Lual Awach Dut, the chairperson of the State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), confirmed the dire circumstances of the returnees and revealed that efforts are underway to ensure that they are supported with essentials.
“Their condition is not okay because they escaped empty-handed from Sudan, and they need humanitarian assistance,” he said. “Their appeal is so meaningful because this is the rainy season, and they need shelter. The lack of food is another concern.”
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