By James Innocent
Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme on Friday assessed the dire humanitarian situation of more than 1,000 people displaced from Payume and Marju sub-Bomas in Pokula following recent conflict.
The majority of the displaced are children, women, and the elderly, including pregnant mothers.
The situation of the displaced person continues to worsened as they lack food, shelter, schools, or access to healthcare.
“We have come on the ground with the security team to see the suffering of our citizens. Many of them are sleeping in the open, without food, education, or medical care. This is a painful situation that requires urgent humanitarian response,” Commissioner Taban said.
He urged young people in the community to help the displaced by building temporary shelters and called for vigilance against disease outbreaks such as cholera, warning that hospitals lack essential drugs.
Taban further appealed for calm and encouraged local leaders and residents of Pokula to support the displaced until humanitarian assistance arrives.
Meanwhile, SSPDF Commander Joseph Garang assured residents that peace would eventually return to the area, urging families to “hold onto faith in God, because every suffering has an end.”
Local leader Sebit Felix, Executive Chief of Pokula Boma, welcomed the commissioner’s visit, saying it showed concern for those who have endured nearly two months without humanitarian aid. Despite the hardship, he praised the “peaceful coexistence between host communities and the displaced.”
Among the displaced is Rose Neyema, who described the community’s daily struggle. “We are suffering in the bush without shelter, food, or medicine.
Many of us go hungry because we cannot access our farms or markets due to fear and harassment from armed groups,” she said.
The commissioner and community leaders have renewed calls for urgent intervention from humanitarian partners to address the worsening crisis.