By. Gibson Kmilio Bakuyo
WAU — More than 16,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tombura, Maringidingo and Nagero counties arrived in Bazia Payam on 28 September 2025 — mostly women, children and the elderly — triggering a humanitarian emergency that demands urgent assistance.
Aid workers from Caritas Tombura‑Yambio Diocese and Caritas Diocese of Wau, together with the director of CODEP, Fr. Charlse, Fr. Naftali (Rector of the Major Seminary), and other humanitarian staff, visited the site shortly after the arrivals. What they found was a deeply distressing situation. Survivors have virtually nothing — no shelter, no food, no access to clean water and no functioning health services. The small aid they brought so far is described as “a drop in the sea,” insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs.
“People have no food to eat, no shelter to live under, no health facility and no water to save lives,” said the visiting humanitarian team.
According to field reports, the priority needs in Bazia Payam include non-food items (NFIs), emergency food supplies, WASH services (water, sanitation and hygiene), and temporary shelter — all complicated by the large scale of the displacement.
Humanitarian coordinators are appealing for immediate intervention from both national and international aid agencies, warning that without timely aid, the well-being of thousands — especially women, children and elderly — is at grave risk.
The arrivals stem from escalating insecurity in Tombura, Maringidingo and Nagero counties. Displaced persons began arriving on 28 September 2025, and many came with little more than the clothes they wore. Local humanitarian actors have described the influx as “unprecedented” in the area. Humanitarian workers stress that the situation is urgent — and growing — with limited resources on the ground. The teams from Caritas and CODEP plan to continue monitoring conditions in Bazia Payam and coordinate with other agencies to mobilize resources. They urge immediate contributions of food, NFIs, shelter materials, water and hygiene support.
