S. Sudan first lady donates food to Jonglei residents

March 3, 14 (BOR) – South Sudan’s first lady Ayen Mayardit has donated two trucks full of food and non-food items to the few residents currently in Bor town who returned after the South Sudanese army retook Jonglei state capital from the rebels in January.

Naomi Adhieu, who spoke on behalf of the Ayen, said expressed they were concerned about women and children who have been displaced by the recent violence.

“Take the little items we brought for you. We are always with you all the time, your suffering is ours. Come back to your homes in Bor and the government will protect and support you”, Adhieu said in Bor on Saturday.

The contents of the two trucks – around 60 metric tones of maize flour, beans, blankets, tarpaulins and other items – were handed over to Jonglei acting governor and the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission for distribution.

The RRC has decided to give the aid from the first lady to residents outside of the UN compound in Bor.

Bor’s population was around 300,000 before the conflict began, but now has less than 200 civilians who returned to the town in late January after stability was restored, according the RRC boss, Gabriel Deng Ajak.

Many resident fled to Awerial county in neighbouring Lakes state, while others are displaced within Jonglei and to neighbouring Ethiopia. Hunger is most common problem faced by the civilians in Bor.

A few shopkeepers operating in Bor are selling beverages such as beers, soft drinks and some food items at high prices.

Humanitarian agencies, which visited Bor last week, promised to bring aid if the war between South Sudan army and the rebel came to an end.

(ST)