Unity state governor concerned by humanitarian response in Mayom county ArticleComments (3). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich November 7, 2011 (BENTIU) - Mayom county is facing serious food shortages and health facility problems after clashes between the South Sudan army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), and rebel militias. The government of the Unity state has been critical of the delayed humanitarian aid response. On the 28 October heavy fighting took place between the SPLA and the rebel South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) in which 75 people were killed. The day before the attack the SSLA released a statement ’calling upon all NGOs and UN personnel to leave Unity State within a week for their own safety.’ The governor of Unity state, Taban Deng Gai, flew to Mayom on the 31 October with SPLA chief of staff, James Hoth Mai, and South Sudan assistant deputy defence minister, Majak Agot Atem, to asses the civilian and militarily situation in the area after the clash. Deng held an emergency meeting on Friday calling upon the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Unity state to offer the residents of Mayom county urgent assistance. “I went to Mayom and I found out big problem, a bag of sorghum of 90kg is going for more than 1000 South Sudanese Pounds [US$370], and actually it is not there in the market, the market is just clear,” said Deng, asking “what are you doing? Do you have any plans and we want you to update us?” Deng urged NGOs to assist in assessing the road that connect Unity and Lake states and noted that the road connecting Unity state to Khartoum has been closed South Sudan’s independence in July. World Food Programme (WFP) staff flew in to Mayom county last week to assess the situation of those hit by the clashes. Nhial Puol, WFP field monitor, told Sudan Tribune “the situation is really getting worse because there is not even a single bag in the market for people to buy.” Deng expressed his anger regarding the delayed humanitarian response. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
