11 April 2014 - To help the most vulnerable displaced people with vital needs, aid agencies in the Unity State capital Bentiu have been providing them with shelters and other basic items.

“Unaccompanied children are one group that we call a vulnerable population,” said Non-violent Peace (NP) Force Protection Officer Rachel Gitari. “We identify and register them and ensure they have specific services provided … for them, like shelters constructed by humanitarian partners.”

Twelve-year old Juma Kong (not real name), for instance, arrived alone at the UNMISS protection site. His mother had traveled to Juba before the conflict began, leaving him with neighbours.

Uncomfortable in his new home, Juma found a friend to live with, but Guit County when fighting started. Finally, he returned to Bentiu at the end of March.

“I was washing dishes at a hotel until four days ago when I came (to the protection site),” said Juma. “(Then someone) from NP found me sleeping between tukuls (temporary shelters). He showed me a tukul where other boys without parents were.”

Having never been to school in his life, the young boy is now attending classes at the protection site. UNICEF provides school items through partner organizations, as well as clothes for the neediest individuals.

“I went there, although I don’t have anything,” said Mr. Kong. “I am especially happy because of the school.… I hope I will get a notebook and pencil.”

According to Ms. Gitari, households and families headed by single women are another group of vulnerable people receiving special assistance.

She said not all women in this category are considered vulnerable and that aid agencies become acquainted with such families to understand their situations.

“We look at the actual ability of a family to construct a tukul,” she elaborated. “If a woman doesn’t have elder kids that can look after babies or is looking after babies and elderly or sick persons, she won’t be able to leave them for several hours and collect cane for construction.”

Elderly and visually impaired Nywat Juhar arrived at the protection site with her daughter and two minor grandchildren from Mayom County. Given their extreme circumstances, they received a tukul for their exclusive use, as well as mosquito nets and kitchen utensils.

“I appreciate everything that we have got,” said Ms. Nywat. “My only problem is that I don’t have money to buy meat.”

In February and March, German Agriculture Action and Concern constructed 12 tukuls for vulnerable populations at UNMISS protection site in Bentiu.

“They built for me a shelter and I’m happy” said elderly Nyadury Koul from Panyijar County. “However, I don’t have kitchen utensils or a jerry can for water.”

Since fighting started in December 2013, humanitarian partners have repeatedly said limited resources and insecurity were hampering their ability to deliver assistance.