Jonglei state: Severe water crisis hits Ayod County

February 7, 2011 (JUBA) – Severe water shortages have hit Ayod County, located about 100 miles north of Jonglei state capital Bor, the area commissioner told Sudan Tribune Monday.

Thoi Chany Reat, the Ayod County commissioner attributed the escalating problem to failure by concerned authorities to repair over 10 boreholes, which broke down in the area. The situation, he added, has affected thousands of residents and those who recently returned to the south from the north of the country ahead of and since the regions referendum on independence.

Final results of the vote were announced in Khartoum on Monday, confirming an overwhelming 99 percent result in favor of independence.

“The number of returnees in Ayod County is growing each and every day and shortage of water is proving to be a serious challenge that needs to be addressed as soon as possible,” the commissioner said by phone from Ayod county.

He appealed to the various humanitarian agencies and development partners who operate in South Sudan to intervene to ensure that the ever worsening situation can be rectified.

Mary Nyaulang, an area legislator also expressed concern over the situation, urging well wishers to intervene into the plight of the thousands in dire need for running water. Specifically she appealed for the supply of borehole spares parts and appealed for contracted engineers to train locals on techniques of how to repair broken water pumps.

“We are appealing to well wishers to come and help as the situation is more grave and complex with the imminent breakout of Kalazaar in the area,” Nyaulang told Sudan Tribune by phone.

In August last year, medical personnel reported the first case of an outbreak of Kalazaar disease in Ayod County. The chronic and potentially fatal parasitic disease of the viscera (the internal organs, particularly the liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes) killed over 50 people in the area.

(ST)