Displaced people in Tambura County of Western Equatoria State in dire need of humanitarian support

Authorities in Western Equatoria State are appealing for humanitarian intervention to support nearly one hundred internally displaced people in Tambura County.

State Minister for Information and Communication in Western Equatoria, William Adriano Baiki told Juba Echo via phone from Yambio town on Wednesday afternoon that the situation of the IDPs is appalling.

“I just want to inform the international partners who are NGOs in Western Equatoria to go to Tambura County to assess the situation of the IDPs who came from Source Yubu to Tambura County two days ago. So, their situation is of concern to us in terms of where they can settle, the other issue is the problem of feeding and then also during the rainy season it is very hard for them to survive. I am advising all our partners to join hands with the government of Western Equatoria particularly the commissioner of Tambura County to go and asses the situation,”Said William Baiki

William Baiki further said the situation in Tambura County continues to deteriorate despite the fact that a peace rally held in the area last week resolved that the communities should peacefully co-exist.

“I remember last week, we were in Tambura for a peace rally and we came back to Yambio but still the situation there continues to deteriorate. I cannot say exactly what happened but the first think we should do is to allow our international partners to do an assessment of what happened,” Baiki added.

William continued, “More people are still moving into Tambura town, the situation is very tense in those areas and the IDPs really need assistance inform of food and nonfood items.”

According to a press statement issued by the Western Equatoria State Governor’s office on Monday this week, at least thirteen people have been killed in Tambura County in the last two months in intercommunal clashes blamed on senior politicians.

There is also reported tension between the Balanda and Zande communities especially on Traditional leadership. The Governor, in a peace rally that concluded last week resolved to organize a peace conference in the coming weeks as part of efforts to unite the conflicting communities particularly the chiefs.