By Hou Akot Hou
Hundreds of Sudanese refugees complain of unfavorable conditions at Wadwill settlement in Aweil West County of Northern Bahr El Gazal State.
Talking to No. 1 Citizen Newspaper, Ms. Zina Malesi Bayena, a female refugee, said inadequate food and other necessities makes life difficult, in the camp.
According to Maleshi, amid food shortage, there is no health facility providing appropriate services for the sick in the camp, coupled with the new environment.
Ms. Malesi recounted the hardship the encounter as most separated with their family members. She cited the trauma of disconnection, not knowing the whereabouts of her husband, a situation affecting several refugees in Wadwill.
“If the international Organizations help us find our beloved ones whom we have separated with, then it would be good. As per now most of us here in the camp are hearing rumours of some who have lost their relatives back home and others have no knowledge as to where their people are” she noted.
She said the pressing issue is about theft which has caused anxiety in the block 11, as most of them came earlier and some arrived recently who didn’t get proper structures or shelters.
“Some criminal men come at night and attack us by force. Last two weeks about three people were robbed of their belongings in the camp. And ran away with plastic sheets and other valuables which they found at home” she noted.
Amounting on pile of problems, the refugees are hit by lack of shelter, with venomous creature intensifying the threats.
“Another concerning issue is lack of proper shelters. As it is a rainy season, snakes and scorpions are our biggest fear, since people step on them and it is our biggest worry as per now. When it gets dark and some sleep on the floor, it becomes too bad” Malesi said.
Most of the refugees said they have talked or raised the matter to the camp leadership who claim to have informed humanitarian organizations for support.
Demeke Dable Dana, a man who arrived two months ago from Abyei lamented losing all his property, making it hard to survive as the food ratio is inadequate.
“I lost everything since I came and it is hard to survive in that way. We need them to help us in increasing that food ratio’ Demeke said.
Some refugees claimed that their colleague with relatives staying overseas do send money and relocate them to other countries such as Kenya, Uganda, while passing through Aweil town, to Juba by cars.
Relief and Rehabilitations Commission officer at Wadwill camp, who declined to be named, said his line managers were working on improving the situation of the refugees.
He said they are sharing the information with international organizations and United Nations agencies to help improve the situation of the refugees in Wad will.