By Yiep Joseph
Twic East Community Association (TECA), in collaboration government, launched a fundraising drive in Juba to resettle those affected by the flood at home.
Since the 2020 flood, thousands of residents from Jonglei state have been displaced to several areas, such as Mangalla County of Central Equatoria state and Awerial in Lakes state, among others.
The initiative is part of the community avenue to ensure that people are resettled in their original homeland.
Speaking during the official launching of the fundraising event over the weekend, Biar Mading Biar, the chairperson of the Twic East Community Association in Juba, called on the community members and well-wishers to join hands and contribute the little they have to help those affected by the flood.
He added that the initiative is aimed at resettling the people who were displaced by the flood to their original homes.
Biar urged community members in South Sudan and in other areas to take the initiative seriously, adding that the government efforts to resettle the displaced persons remain limited and hence there is a need for more teamwork.
He said that the need for communities to return back to their original homes needs a lot to be done since most people lost everything they had during the flood.
In his part, the county paramount chief, Manyok Ajak, expressed that all the chiefs advocate for the resettlement of those displaced to their home areas; however, they lack the capacity to do it themselves.
He added that the initiative when well supported, would allow the communities to go back to their home areas and start their peaceful lives.
The Chief called on all the members to support adding that teamwork is paramount in fundraising.
He called on the community members to embrace peace in all areas and with host communities.
Meanwhile, David Panchol Aduong, the Fundraising Committee Chair, acknowledged the importance of the initiative and called on members to contribute in order to make resettlement possible.
“It is high time for all the sons and daughters of Twic East, as well as our well-wishers, to come together and support the resettlement agenda of our people. This initiative speaks to the heart of what people want for the well-being of humanity, and I urge everyone, especially the youth, to lend a helping hand in any way they can,” he said.
On October 5, 2024, TECA, which works in partnership with local authorities, formed a specialized technical committee comprising Twic East’s energetic sons and daughters, each committed to making a difference through this effort.
The initiative, aptly themed “Let’s Join the Defining Course,” gathers Twic East community potential donors, members, supportive neighbors, and friends at the TEYA Centre in Juba on November 30, followed by a nationwide fundraising event scheduled to take place at Late Gen. Amb. Bior Ajang’s residence in Juba on December 1.