By Chieku Suzan
More than 6000 refugees have arrived in South Sudan after fleeing renewed violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), a local community leader confirmed.
Speaking to the media, Chief Joseph Masari said the refugees escaped heavy fighting in Bambuti, where intense gunfire and bombardment were reported. He noted that the group has now spent five days in South Sudan after fleeing the conflict in search of safety.
According to Chief Masari, the majority of the refugees are women and elderly people who are facing severe humanitarian challenges, including shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. He warned that the situation remains critical, particularly for vulnerable groups who require urgent assistance.
Despite the difficult conditions, Masari expressed gratitude to the Government of South Sudan and local churches for their support. He said the refugees have been allocated land near Stream Mungu in Source Riibu, which will allow them to engage in cultivation during the current farming season to help sustain their livelihoods.
One of the refugees, Asunta Peter, a mother, described the daily hardships facing displaced families. She said there is an acute shortage of basic necessities such as food, soap, and mosquito nets. “Washing nappies without soap has become very difficult, and the lack of mosquito nets exposes both mothers and children to malaria,” she said, appealing to humanitarian organizations and well-wishers for assistance.
Meanwhile, Pastor Malish Alminion, a resident of Source Riibu, confirmed the arrival of a large number of refugees from the neighboring country. He strongly condemned the alleged involvement of Russian forces, accusing them of crossing into foreign territory and engaging in fighting that has led to civilian displacement.
Pastor Alminion said the church is standing in solidarity with the refugees by offering spiritual support and trauma-healing programs to help them cope with the psychological impact of the conflict. He also called on humanitarian agencies and members of the public to provide support to the displaced families during this difficult period.
