By Reverend Thomas Tut Gany,
June 16, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — According to Reverend Thomas Tut Gany, the Director of Christian Mission for Development (CMD), more than 110,000 displaced people in Ayod, Duk and Nyirol counties in Jonglei state are in dire need, facing water and food shortages, and lack of shelter.
Reverend Tut returned to Juba on Saturday (14/06/2014) from a field visit to CMD’s projects in Lankien, Nyirol county, Jiech, Gorwai and Pagil in Ayod county, and Duk Padiet and Poktap in Duk county, all in Jonglei state.
“I was very concerned by what I saw in the three counties – only one borehole is functioning in Jiech, which hosts over 25,000 IDPs. Every day, there are at least five reports of fighting over water,” Reverend Tut said.
“In other areas, there were few functioning pumps that were running day and night but unable to meet the demands for water,” he said.
“In Gorwai, CMD staff saw families left with no other option but eating leaves of the wild trees as their basic food and drinking from surface water.” Reverend Tut continued.
“Our staff in Gorwai, Pagil, Duk Padiet and Poktap reports 13 deaths related to hunger; and children and lactating mothers are malnourished.” Reverend Tut added.
“The World Food Programme has already started air drops and I saw food being dropped while I was in Jiech, and women receiving supplies of sorghum, maize and beans. More food is expected. CMD team on the other hand are setting-up emergency latrines, bathing shelters, hygiene promotions and providing water chlorines and PUR” Part of the report reads.
“However, the situation is very serious throughout the areas. As a partner on the ground, we humbly appeal and urge World Food Programme (WFP) to drop food to over 22,000 IDPs in Gorwai, 18,000 in Pagil (both in Ayod county) and 16,000 in Duk Padiet and 12,000 in Poktap (Duk county).” Revd. Thomas reiterates.
“Our teams are working hard to provide safe water, food and education, but the numbers of displaced have increased very fast. With the help of WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation – FAO, we are bringing 46 tonnes of seeds, tools and fishing gears to Ayod and Duk later this week. We need to provide more water points, shelters and mosquito nets, and most importantly, more food,” Reverend Tut said.
Photos: Available if needed.
CMD is a South Sudanese non-profit, non-governmental relief and development organisation working in Jonglei on water, sanitation and hygiene, education in emergency, food security and livelihoods.
Contact: Rev. Thomas Tut Gany, Executive Director, CMD.
Email: info@cmdsouthsudan.org Phone: +211927 262 266, +211919 701 340
