By Yiep Joseph
Jonglei State Governor, Riak Gai Kok, has called on humanitarian agencies to continue supporting the state as it faces severe flooding and hunger.
The governor made this appeal during a meeting with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), one of the state’s partners.
He expressed appreciation for efforts of humanitarian organizations and urged them to maintain food distribution, stating that Fangak and Pigi counties remain vulnerable due to flooding and conflict.
In a statement after the meeting, he thanked partners and humanitarian organizations for their work and encouraged humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to the affected areas in the state.
“Governor Kok stressed the importance of ongoing food distribution efforts in Fangak and Pigi counties and highlighted the need to revitalize local markets,” the statement read.
He expressed deep appreciation for NPA’s impactful work and reaffirmed the Jonglei State Government’s support for their efforts.
Recently, it was reported that at least 40,000 people have been displaced from Pigi County in Jonglei State to Panyikang County in Upper Nile State due to an incursion by Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in April 2025.
Authorities indicated that this population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Suliman Deng Thon, the Pigi County Commissioner, stated that the displaced civilians from Pigi are now in dire need of aid in neighboring Panyikang County.
“We are appealing to national and international non-governmental organizations to provide assistance in terms of shelter and food to vulnerable people who are living under trees in Panyikang County. Many of our civilians have relocated from Canan, Korfulus, and Wunlit areas of Pigi County to Kandaki, Panam, and Obali in Panyikang County,” he said.
“There are no humanitarian organizations on the ground. People are staying under trees without shelter or food; the situation is dire. We call for immediate intervention,” he added.
Thon noted that the security situation in Pigi County is relatively calm, but the incursion by SPLA-IO forces in April 2025 has instilled fear among the residents.
“Still, people are afraid to return home due to the tension resulting from the SPLA-IO incursion. The food situation is truly bad. We have also facilitated the movement of 102 civilians who fled from SPLA-IO-controlled areas in Nasir County of Upper Nile and Ayod County of Jonglei to Makakal in Upper Nile State,” he explained.