Diaspora community urges better protection for Bor displaced in Lakes state
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December 29, 2013 (RUMBEK) - Bor youth leaders in the diaspora
community have appealed for better protection for thousands of
displaced people in Lakes state’s Awerial county, who recently fled
violence in the Jonglei state capital.
In a letter send to Lakes state’s military caretaker governor, Maj.
Gen. Matur Chut Dhuol, the diaspora community in Alberta, Canada
expressed gratitude for the collective support provided by the Lakes
state government and authorities in Awerial to assist displaced Bor
communities.
However, Michael Reech Madit Reech, chairperson of the Bor county
community in Alberta, also expressed regret over reports of a number
of violent incidents targeting vulnerable displaced people, including
robbery, threats and even murder.
“In light of such instances, we are not only expressing our gratitude
to the majority of people of Lakes state, we are also pleading for
humanity, protection and support of our people in your communities”,
the letter dated 28 December said.
“We have heard of stories of great hospitality afforded by the people
of Lakes state to the displaced. We therefore acknowledge with
appreciation this spirit and humanity demonstrated by your people
through welcoming and sharing of resources with fellow citizens from
across the river”, it adds.
Thousands of people were displaced by fighting in Bor after dissident
troops split from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) and overran the town.
Diaspora members have also called on authorities to facilitate the
provision of necessary humanitarian support to members of the Bor
community, including basic needs such as food, shelter, water and
medical supplies.
“Through this letter, we are appealing to the government and people of
the Lakes state to protect and facilitate necessary support as much as
possible for people of Bor and other counties displaced to your
communities”, Reech said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained
by Sudan Tribune.
Aid agencies estimate that 40,000 have taken shelter in Lakes state
after crossing the Nile from Bor to Awerial county’s Guol-yar.
Phillip Kot Job, a South Sudan Relief Rehabilitation Commission
(SSRRC) official in the state, described the humanitarian situation as
critical.
He said large numbers of displaced people, many of them women and
children, were sleeping under trees and drinking contaminated water
direct from the river.
A dispute within South Sudan’s presidential guards in the capital,
Juba, on 15 December has sparked an outbreak of violence across South
Sudan, with president Salva Kiir accusing former vice-president Riek
Machar of masterminding a coup attempt to overthrow his government.
Defected army general Peter Gadet launched a rebellion against
pro-government forces in Bor last week, with the SPLA regaining
control of the town on 24 December.
The army said this week it has received information that forces loyal
to Machar are preparing a fresh offensive on Bor.
(ST)
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