Uror communities recount impact of recent violence to patrolling peacekeepers, humanitarian partners

JONGLEI - Landing at Yuai airstrip, the headquarters of Uror county in Jonglei state, a joint patrol comprised of peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is greeted by shells of once intact humanitarian warehouses.

What was known as a place of relief for thousands of families who received food aid stands as a symbol of the devastation wrought by recent armed conflict that has left tens of thousands displaced.

“The trail of destruction is massive,” county authorities revealed to visiting peacekeepers.

"The main hospital was completely destroyed. Markets and schools were looted. Boreholes were damaged and water solar systems stolen," explained county commissioner James Gatkhor Gatluak.

Currently, the nearest hospital for Yuai residents is now in Poktap, Duk county. This is more than 120 kilometers away.

"Violence has pushed our once-thriving communities back into a crisis. Even the materials to continue the construction of a police post supported by UNMISS were not spared. It feels like we are starting from point zero,” added Mr. Gatluak.

But conflict did not only destroy physical infrastructure. It wounded hearts, minds and bodies, in Yuai and other areas.

A female survivor from Pathai town speaking to an UNMISS peacekeeper on the phone recounted how she was wrongfully detained for four days by an armed group.

"I was beaten until I started vomiting blood. My left rib is broken, and it is difficult for me to lift a bucket of water and look after my children,” she revealed. Despite this horrific experience, she considered herself luckier than women who were killed and raped.

Speaking with local authorities, Geetha Pious, Head of the UNMISS Bor Field Office, urged them to engage members of the armed forces and hold perpetrators of violence against women accountable.

"All women and girls have the right to safety during armed conflict. They must be protected at all costs. Those who commit acts of violence against them must be brought to justice," she said.

For their part, humanitarian partners are rallying to provide emergency assistance.

"We are ready to deploy aid and are on the ground to seek support from authorities to ensure humanitarian workers, assets and supplies will be protected,” explained Richard Luguma, a National Field Officer from OCHA’s field office in Bor.

For their part, UNMISS remains committed to facilitating humanitarian assistance for affected communities.

“As UNMISS we will, of course, facilitate our humanitarian colleagues to provide much-needed aid but local authorities are primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of aid workers. Without security, humanitarian partners cannot provide the help needed by the people of Uror, particularly as the rainy season approaches,” stated Ms. Pious.

As communities begin the long road to recovery, sustained security and support will be critical to help families rebuild their lives.

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By Angellah Mandoreba