Jonglei RRC appeals for intervention over influx of returnees

BOR, OCTOBER 18, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Jonglei State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) is appealing to humanitarian organizations to intervene over dire situation of returnees in the state’s Akobo County.

According to Jonglei State authorities, at least 21,000 people are currently being hosted in Akobo. They are mostly South Sudanese returning from Sudan and Ethiopia and Ethiopian citizens displaced by the conflict in Amhara regional state.

Speaking during a workshop organized by INTREPID South Sudan in Bor on Tuesday, Michael Mading Akueth, Chairperson of Jonglei State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, said at least 4,000 people arrived on Monday in Akobo only and appeal for quick response to their needs.

“About 2,700 were given unconditional cash by World Food Program WFP for their feeding for about two months. We still have them there and there are a few things that are missing there is no medical supply to the returnees in Akobo. There are limited resources that they are sharing with the communities that are hosting them both in Akobo town and the neighboring communities that are living around Akobo,” he said.

“We have received another 4,000 this morning the report we received another 4,000 were reported after the intervention was done by WFP. The situation is still dire because they lack shelter, they have issues with water because there is a river and there is no water treatment medicine to ensure that they get clean water,” he added.

RRC boss pledged that he will be travelling to Akobo County next week to assess the unfolding returnees and refugees’ situation.