By William Madouk
Residents of Jebel Lado Payam in Juba County are breathing a sigh of relief as food assistance is provided to those affected by severe flooding after Central Equatoria State Governor Gen. Augustino Jadalla’s administration provided food to subdue hunger.
This aims to alleviate the hunger crisis many displaced families face due to natural disasters and land-grabbing issues.
On Thursday, the Juba County commissioner, in collaboration with the Central Equatoria State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, distributed food aid.
According to the state RRC, the 500 bags of maize flour and 500 boxes of assorted food are just part of the emergency food relief for the less privileged, but the aid seems to be a drop in the ocean.
“We came to stand beside our people on what they are facing; we came with a small amount of food. It is about 500 bags of maize flour and 500 cartoons of assorted food,” said deputy chair of RRC, Eng. Francis M. Swaka.
He revealed that they have developed an emergency plan that would be shared with partners, UN agencies, and humanitarian organizations for a comprehensive comeback.
“We, as RRC, have not got enough food—this is what we have for the time being, but we are still mobilizing for more food,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Juba Commissioner Emmanuel Tete said the initiative is a directive from Governor Jadallah in response to victims’ appeal as floods wreak havoc in the areas.
He also urged the flood-affected people to come out from the island where they sought refuge as they were chased away from their homes, adding that he would tighten up the security.
“I am calling upon our citizens who are staying on the island and affected by flooding that they should come to dry areas; otherwise, it will be difficult to deliver the services,” said Tete.
“We have talked to the chiefs to go and encourage them to come out to highland areas, and as the government, it is our duty to protect them and deliver services,” he added.
The commissioner revealed that they would commence showing off the plot at Jebel Lado to bring to an end rampant land grabbing.
“I want to inform the government and public institutions, those who have land in Lado Payam, that by the coming week, we are showing off the Molobur residential area,” he noted.
“We have a map, and we are going to start with primary and secondary schools, police stations, fire brigades, and then local courts under the Ministry of Local Government and SSFA.”
The commissioner appealed to people who have plot tokens to show up at the Ministry of Land and House, or Lado Payam, for verification and plot showing.
Edward Dion, an MP representing Lado East Payam in the CES legislative assembly, expressed his happiness, adding that although it is small, it can help in taming hunger.
Also, Mr. Gaism Erasto, director of Lado Payam, appreciated the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission for swift intervention.
The Executive Chief of Jebel Lado East Boma, Charles Laku Wani, said there is a need to address the issue of land grabs to allow the residents to return to their houses after being chased away by armed grabbers.
Sultan Franko Joseph, chief of Jebel Lado East, Molobur, said they would instantly commence the distribution.
“Let the government allow us to return to our homes, we were again chased to the river by grabbers today because my son from the area went to cut a wood and he was shot at,” he narrated.
“The commissioner said earlier that we should return, but if we go back now, do we have to go back to be shot at? However, if the commissioner sticks to his word and improves the security situation, then we can return,” he added.