Longochuk county commissioner appeals for emergency aid intervention
August 28, 2016 (MATHIANG) – Commissioner of Longechuk county in the oil rich Upper Nile region, Lieutenant Colonel Dak Tut Dey, has called on aid agencies to provide emergency relief assistance in response to heavy floods which have submerged several buildings including the main health center in the county’s administrative headquarters of Mathiang and other payams of the county.
In a statement he issued and forwarded to Sudan Tribune last Thursday, the Commissioner, Dey, said more than 56,000 people with over 11,000 households have been displaced by the floods leaving their shelters underwater and destroyed their properties.
The mostly affected payams, he said, include Mathaing (county headquarters), Jangok, Warweng, Malow, Majiok, Belwang and Palguop.
“I would like to bring this horrific situation to all NGOs partners’ attention for quick intervention as many HHs need NFIs (Blankets, Mosquito nets, plastic sheets and buckets or Jerri cans) should be given to the affected populations of Longechuk County. This will assist them rebuild their livelihoods, safeguard them from harsh weather and protect their dignity before they put up the traditional ones [shelters],” Commissioner Dey said.
He said the populations mainly affected include the elderly, underage children, pregnant women, lactating mothers and farmers, whose cultivated crops had been destroyed as well.
Longechuk county is mostly under the control of the opposition faction led by Riek Machar, former South Sudan’s First Vice President. Commissioner Dey was appointed by the opposition leader, Machar.
The county is close to both the Sudanese and Ethiopian borders to the north and east, respectively. In Upper Nile state it borders Maiwut county to the east, Nasir county to the southeast, Akoka county to the southwest, Melut county to the west and Mabaan county to the northwest.
Its administrative payams include Gueng, Warweng, Jangok Udier, Dajo, Chotbora, Pamach, Jongjith, Malual, Guelguk, Belwang and Mathiang administrative headquarters.
(ST)