WESTERN EQUATORIA – “How did you manage to reach here?!”
Bibiana Dimitri was one of many astounded community members who gathered to welcomed peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on their arrival in remote Ezo County.
Troubled by an uptick in Mpox cases and other humanitarian challenges, they had given up expectations of outside support.
“Sometimes it becomes easy to feel as if the world has left us behind. And suddenly, right when we were about to give up hope, we saw these vehicles approaching out of nowhere,” shared Bibiana.
A main factor for their isolation is the road connecting communities from Ezo to Yambio, the main center in Western Equatoria. Years of rain and lack of maintenance have made it nearly impossible for traders to bring essential items, including much-needed medical supplies.
Bordering both the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, the area is known to be a hub for all types of illnesses and diseases spread by visiting or passing communities.
Exhausted but not deterred by their grueling 180km journey, UNMISS patrol leader, Major Pie Claude Sezikeye, was both surprised and concerned by their first sight:
“We decided to come as we were aware of humanitarian challenges in the area, but we weren’t aware of how bad it really is.”
Despite being relatively peaceful overall, communities are impacted by sporadic security incidents that exacerbate the existing hardship, including lack of resources and health concerns.
Incidents such as the one that cost the life of Mariata John’s husband.
The mother of six and guardian of four orphans fled conflict in Tambura a few years ago.
She recalls the horrifying moment of seeing him killed.
“There was nothing I could have done. Now I just feel helpless and afraid that I will not be able to take care of my children’s health and well-being. I just wish he were still alive and could support me,” shared Mariata from under the torn plastic-sheet shelter that she and her ten children call home.
Her fears were echoed by Ezo County Surveillance Officer, Abraham Danadiri, who urged UNMISS to report their findings to the government and humanitarian partners:
“Please pass your observations to the Ministry of Health and any agencies that may be able to provide assistance. We really need support.”
Committed to following up on these requests, the departure of the peacekeepers was marked by the promise of timely return as well as heartfelt reactions by the people they came to serve.
“I still don’t know how you got here but I do know that it really shows how much you care,” concluded Bibiana as she waved the convoy goodbye.
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By Phillip Mbugo
