Northern Liech calls for humanitarian assistanance

March 27, 2016 (BENTIU) – South Sudan authorities in the newly created Northern Liech state have appealed to the World Food Programme (WFP) to extend its food distributions in Rubkotna and Mayom counties to rescue thousands of people lacking food.

In an interview Sudan Tribune conducted with commissioners of the two counties, they claimed to have contacted the United Nations and WFP in Bentiu town to deliver humanitarian assistance to those in dire need.

Salaam Maluit, Rubkotna county commissioner, said many people especially in villages around Nhialdiu lack food, medical services and other necessary materials due to continuation of war.

He said the government had asked WFP and other aid agencies partners to assist thousands of people living in both locations, who have been facing dire conditions of hunger.

“The Northern Liech State Government had made development progresses in organizing with the partners which are the WFP South Sudan, the food distribution in Nhialdiu Payam the centre of Rubkotna County and Mayom County,” he said.

Maluit furether explained that most areas under government’s control, majority of the villages had either received any humanitarian aids, adding many people in those villages are at great risk of hunger.

“It is hard to tell that many citizens in the villages have enough food, due to continuation of conflicts in some part of their villages. Most of them are denied to cultivate to plant crops,” he said.

He however added that after the aid covered Rubkotna and Mayom, in few weeks they expect same exercise to reach Koch county.

John Bol Mayak, Mayom county commissioner, has told Sudan Tribune that most of the populations have fled their homes and soughed shelter in the United Nation protection sites.

Many people, he said, have left their homes after they have felt being insecure following continuation of fighting in the area.

Mayak has urged the internal displaced persons (IDPs) to abandon congestion in UN camp, calling them to return home to begin their normal activities as the WFP is preparing to deliver aid to those in villages.

“So we call out to all Rubkotna County people and Mayom County People to start moving their centre homes where foods will be distributed to them regularly with the help of humanitarian aid by the partners,” he said.

The two neighbouring commissioners vowed that the government of the state is assuring protection of its citizens, should they come out from the UN camp and return to their homes.

(ST)