The South Sudan Red Cross in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have opened a communication centre for the displaced population in Bentiu.

The main aim of the centre is to connect the displaced population with their love ones elsewhere. The current conflict in South Sudan has separated many families with their love ones.

The displaced population at the UN PoC site in Bentiu are being connected with their relatives through satellite phone and messaging service in different parts of South Sudan and neighboring countries.

A displaced woman in the site, Nyakoch Nhial explained how such assistance helped her to find her brother.

“Since we departed in 2013 when the war erupted in South Sudan. We never met again, but now all the family are happy that we know the whereabouts of my brother, we confirmed that he is in UN camp in Juba and alive”, said Nyakoch.

Tut Liah Gatluak, another displaced person who managed to talk with his brother in Khartoum said, “When the fighting intensified in Leer County in June, my brother disappeared, I came to the centre and learned that he is still alive.

He said, “I got his contact from somebody who came from Khartoum and I was connected with him by the ICRC.  I am pleased that I communicated with my brother, I was traumatized but now I am healed because I know the whereabouts of my brother.”

Since the conflict erupted in South Sudan in December 2013, many people have been displaced from their homes and many families have been separated from their love ones.

According to ICRC, more than 112,000 phone calls have been made, 7,700 messages delivered and 700 people reunited with families across the country.