16'600 people assisted in Maruwa Hills
Last week, we assisted more than 16’600 people in the remote area of Maruwa Hills, SouthSudan. The recent armed violence in Jonglei and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their home to places like Maruwa Hills, often hard to reach.
Whilst seeking safety, families lost most of their belongings. We carried out three visit to MaruwaHills since August 2020 to understand the needs of the displaced communities especially in terms of water and livelihoods.
Over 16’600 people (2774 families) displaced by the armed violence received essential items including tarpaulin, blanket, bucket, mat, mosquito net, soap, kitchen set, dignity kit (which includes clothes). We also repaired four boreholes to improve access to water for displaced people and host communities.
We provided families with free phone call services to help them contact loved ones they were separated from during the recent armed violence. We assist those who lost contact with their family members during the armed violence to trace them back.
Communities in Jonglei and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) are still struggling to meet their essential needs. Many of the communities affected by armed violence are now also impacted by heavy floods. Further humanitarian assistance is urgently needed to support all who are affected.
Our teams spend over a week in Maurwa Hills to complete the distributions. People were patiently waiting in long lines along the airstrip to collect their items.
Due to armed violence in the state of Jonglei and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) that lasted from mid-June to early August, tens of thousands of civilians were forced to flee their home. While running to safer areas, often in remote areas such as Maruwa Hills (GPAA), they lost most of the belonging and livelihood.
The ICRC was in contact with local authorities and other humanitarian actors in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) to identify the most vulnerable. An assessment was conducted in Maruwa Hills as very few humanitarian organizations were present in the area. Since August 20, the ICRC organized three visit to Maruwa Hills to address the needs of the communities in terms of water, livelihoods and other urgent needs, like assisting families to restore contact with loved ones, from whom they had been separated while fleeing the armed violence.
We have distributed emergency household items to over 16'600 people (2774 families) displaced and repaired four boreholes that enhance access to waterfor the people displaced and host communities.
