ABYEI – The chairperson of Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Abyei Special Administrative Area has painted a grim picture of the situation facing internally displaced people (IDPs) in the region following recent deadly attacks.
Speaking to Sudans Post on Friday, Ajak Deng Miyen described the situation as “dismal and worsening,” noting that the agency has been working closely with international organizations, including UN OCHA and other partners, to assess the deteriorating conditions of the IDPs.
“The situation remains tense, but organizations are currently conducting an ongoing assessment. We cannot yet share exact figures of the displaced population as people have fled towards the epicenter of the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA),” Miyen explained.
“They are now living in areas surrounding Abyei, not their original habitats. However, the situation is dire. As you know, when fighting erupts, people have to run for their lives, leaving behind their belongings,” he added.
Miyen emphasized the need for a thorough assessment to determine the true number of displaced people, paving the way for NGOs to provide them with essential assistance. He highlighted the urgent need for basic necessities such as shelter, water, and food.
Appealing to the international community, Miyen urged them to explore avenues for establishing permanent peace in the region to prevent further displacement and alleviate the worries of Abyei’s residents.
“I would like to urge the international community to help us create an environment where people can live without fear,” he stated. “Stability is the only way to halt this catastrophic situation from becoming pervasive.”
The comments by the Abyei government official come a week after armed youth from Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal State launched deadly attacks on villages in the Abyei Special Administrative Area.
The attacks, according to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), resulted in the killing of at least 75 people, all of whom are civilians.