Thousands of people displaced due to recent floods have found sanctuary in Bentiu internally displaced persons camp in Unity State, exerting pressure on the already overwhelming number of IDPs in the camp.
Tap Mark Diu, a 42-year-old who was displaced from his home in Panyijar County in 2014 due to conflict told The Juba Echo last week that the surge in the number of new arrivals in Bentiu IDP camp is mainly due to prevailing hunger exacerbated by floods in the State.
“All areas are flooded, there is no way people can cultivate, and the only way, people here are surviving on food rations from the World Food Programme (WFP),” said Diu.
Diu revealed that Riek Biem Top, the Governor of Unity State has been urging people in Bentiu IDP camp to return to their areas of origin.
He said that the cost of constructing a house in Unity State is too expensive, with one pole selling at 25000 SSP.
Diu said that most IDPs are wary of returning home due to insecurity, adding that they also want to be compensated by the government for their possessions lost during previous conflicts in 2013 and 2016.
“I have nothing with me, what can I use to construct my house which was burned down, if I am compensated I can go to my home,” he said.
The photo shows Nyagony Omech, a mother of 4 kids from Rubkona County.
Nyagony Omech, a mother of four from Rubkona County who has spent 9 years in Bentiu IDP camp said she and other displaced people are struggling to cope amid hunger.
“Life here is terrible, the situation worsening due to food shortage, and the food rations from the WFP are not enough to sustain my family,” said Omech.
Hon Tap Bel, a 33-year-old disabled man from Guit County said that floods and insecurity are the key problems that require the government to solve for them to return to their homes.
“I am living alone, I was supported by my brother and completed my certificate of secondary education in 2021, I am just sitting idle here and it is very tough to get food because my parents are not around,” he said.
Sarah Nyanat, the Chairperson of Bentiu IDP camp disclosed that the camp hosts about 200,000 people including 30,000 returnees who fled ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan since an outbreak in April 2023.
Tor Tunguar, the Deputy Governor of Unity State said the heavy floods have also cut off road access and caused the death of livestock.
“Our people have nothing to eat and these people have been farming their food but given this disaster now they have become vulnerable,” said Tunguar.
