Citizens surviving on water lilies, wild fruits in Mayom County, says lawmaker

JUBA – A South Sudanese lawmaker has raised the alarm about a looming hunger crisis in Mayom County, Unity State.

Speaking before parliament yesterday, Mayom MP Stephen Bol said that people are resorting to eating water lilies and wild fruits due to prolonged flooding and food shortages.

“Mayom town is practically deserted. People are displaced and scattered in the bush, searching for wild fruits, and harvesting water lilies in rivers for survival. Those with a few fishing tools are trying to catch fish in deeper waters,” he said.

Bol blamed the crisis on heavy rains and flooding that began in 2020, impacting over 250,000 people and devastating agricultural production and property.

“The displaced population fled to Bul, an area that has been flooded since 2020 and still has standing water, allowing people to collect water lilies and fish,” he explained.

The lawmaker further stated that livestock losses have been severe, with an estimated 50,000 cattle dying in 2021 and 70,000 in 2022.

“The remaining cattle are insufficient to support the population, which includes an unknown number of returnees and Sudanese refugees,” Bol said.

Tut Jok, another lawmaker representing Akobo County in Jonglei State, echoed Bol’s concerns and called for government action.

“This situation isn’t limited to Mayom County,” Jok said. “People are dying daily even here in Juba. While we seek humanitarian assistance, the government must prepare to respond. As an oil-rich country, it’s unacceptable to be constantly dependent on humanitarian intervention.”

Jok emphasized the need to hold authorities accountable.

“Mayom County is located in oil-producing Unity State. Like all oil-producing states, it receives a 5% share. We need to ask the state leadership where this 5% allocated for Mayom communities goes,” the MP said.

“If people in oil-producing areas are suffering like this, what about those in non-oil-producing areas? Before summoning the humanitarian minister or seeking international aid, we need answers about the 5% share. We must summon the governor,” he added.