The commissioner of Mundri East County in Western Equatoria State confirmed to Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that over 800 people displaced from the Nyangbara area of Central Equatoria State have arrived in her county since Tuesday.
Margret Fozia said the displaced persons sought refuge in her jurisdiction after tensions arose between them and Mundari pastoralists who are grazing on the former’s lands. She said the IDPs lack basic services and are sheltering in schools and churches.
According to Commissioner Fozia, the displaced people narrated that the pastoralists burned down houses, and killed 2 people and 5 other people are still missing.
“The situation in Mundri East is fine and there is nothing bad but what happened here is that I have displaced persons who fled from Nyangbara in Juba County to my county and that is the only problem I have,” she said. “The Mundari pastoralists are the ones who went and confronted them in their home and displaced them and up to now the total number is 890.”
She appealed to the government and humanitarian agencies to come to the aid of the displaced persons who are still arriving in droves.
“Now my county has displaced people and where they are residing there is only one borehole for 890 people plus the host community,” she said. “So, that means there will be a big problem of health and hygiene in that area and I am worried that there will be an outbreak of diseases which will affect people, apart from hunger and lack of shelter.”
Efforts to reach Central Equatoria State authorities were not successful.