South Sudan: Living under a tree, thousands need water, food, shelter

As conflict escalates in the Upper Nile region, tens of thousands of people have been displaced and are now living in Aburoc village.

This situation has forced entire families to live under trees. They lack the most basic of needs including food and water.

The massive displacement has drastically increased the number of people living in Aburoc. This, in turn, has put enormous pressure on resources like water.

The people living in Aburoc have been forced to survive on one liter of water per person per day.

The available water is of poor quality and could cause disease.

There are only three functioning hand pumps for tens of thousands of people.

A cow drinking out of a muddy puddle next to one of the three functional hand pumps. Cattle are essential for survival of people in South Sudan.

Poor quality and scarcity of water has resulted in an increased number of water-borne diseases.

“I have to wait for hours in line to get water.” 19-year-old Nyanini from Kodok supports her mother and herself by selling tea.

“Every day I wake up at 3 am to fetch water for the family. What I get is hardly enough to drink and to cook. Showering is a luxury.” Nygiealh, 44, is a mother of three. She was displaced from Malakal to Wau Shiluck, from Wau Shiluck to Kodok and from Kodok to Aburoc.

To quickly respond to the emergency and prevent the spread of water-borne diseases like cholera the ICRC is digging wells and distributing jerrycans and soap to families in Aburoc.

Tens of thousands of people have also received tarpaulins and mosquito nets.