KUAJOK – Over 200 individuals, mostly women and children, who have been displaced by recent violence between the Sudan Army Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Heglig oilfield, are seeking humanitarian assistance, including food and shelter.
On December 8, nearly 2,000 civilians were displaced Heglig after clashes between Sudan Army Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Heglig oil field is near the border with South Sudan in Sudan’s southern Kordofan, which has become the epicentre of the Sudanese civil war after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces took control of the entire Darfur region in the west of the country in October.
Ayel Kueth Lual told Sudans Post on Saturday that they are experiencing difficult living conditions in Amol-bang, located in Ajak-Kuach Payam in Twic County.
“We came and settled here at the Payam headquarter where we just sleep in the open and the food is scarce, Children and the elderly are suffering indeed” said Kueth.
She appealed to the government to assist them with food and shelter
“Some people are feeling unwell due to the current cold weather conditions. There are limited options for self-sustenance. We have left everything behind. All we ask for is assistance if anyone comes to help us,” said Kueth.
Abraham Yor Nyuol, Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, confirmed that 2,480 new arrivals have been received in the Ajak-kuac and Wun-rok payams.
“We have received these people from Heglig and Pan-Akuach as RSF infiltrated the oilfield. Some of these returnees fled from different areas in Sudan,” said Yor.
“They were anxiously waiting to return home, and when the RSF arrived unexpectedly, they came and settled in Pan-Akuach. Fearing further disruptions to their lives, they moved to Ajak-Kuac, while some trekked to Wun-rok payam.”
He stated that verification would be conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and that assistance would be provided in the form of food and non-food items.
Last week, good number of returnees were received by Aweil East County authorities and camped at Majak-Ajuong.
The high influx of returnees adds to the already dire humanitarian situation facing the country amid cut of global aids.
