Authorities in South Sudan’s Ayod county say 300,000 people in need of food
March 13, 2016 (BOR) – At least 300,000 people have been reported to be in dire need of food assistance inside Ayod town, the state capital of Fangak state, which has been under government’s control since April 2014.
“Right now, we have over 300,000 civilians inside Ayod town, and that is according to the report we heard on the ground. We have our people [from the government side], they give us the report,” said Lony.
Western Bieh state, one of the 28 states decreed by the president, had its name changed to Fangak state, with its headquarters in Ayod.
According to Lony, the state government had been in contact with various organizations operating in the country to offer assistance to Fangak civilians.
World Food Program (WFP) is said to have sent 21 trucks loaded with food items.
“21 trucks with food stuff by World Food Program have reached Ayod, the state capital of Fangak state,” said Lony. Some of these trucks are now going to other places like Wau, Mogok and Pagil, west of the state.”
“Since the peace was signed, individuals have been coming to Ayod, day and night, seeking for support, and now the number has gone up,” he said.
However, Catholic Relief Service (CRS), another partner of WFP on the ground, has dispatched trucks loaded with none food items to cover the gap. The food trucks would be sent after this month by CRS to identify locations in the same state.
Both WFP and CRS have sent thousands of metric tons of food to Uror, Nyirol and some areas of Akobo by road, beginning in February 2016 when both the government and rebel leadership granted security clearances.
A source told Sudan Tribune that CRS alone, had sent over 1500 metric tons of food to both Uror Nyirol and Akobo as emergency assistance.
Fangak state government is now fully formed, cabinet is legislated, the members of parliament are appointed, and now the government is ready to go to the capital, said the minister.
(ST)