Appeal for aid as 300 returnees arrive in Majok-Yith-Thiou from Sudan

MAJOK-YITH-THIOU — Authorities in the border town of Majok-Yith-Thiou in Aweil East County of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Gahzal State say at least 300 spontaneous returnees have arrived from war-torn Sudan since last week, amid growing humanitarian needs in the area.

The town’s municipal mayor, Andrea Akok Lual, told this publication in an exclusive interview on Monday evening that the returnees are entering South Sudan through the Merram road and are being received by local authorities in coordination with international organizations.

“The situation is catastrophic. Many of them fled from the ongoing war in Sudan and arrived here without any essential belongings,” Lual said.

According to the mayor, humanitarian agencies such as ACTED and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are registering the returnees and facilitating their integration with host communities. He added that those identified as Sudanese nationals are being relocated to Wedwiel Refugee Settlement for further assistance.

Despite the hospitality of local residents, Mayor Lual said Majok-Yith-Thiou is struggling to cope with the influx due to limited resources and worsening environmental conditions. He reported that a severe millipede infestation, compounded by drought, has destroyed most of the crops in the area.

“Our people are hospitable, but the farms have been devastated by millipedes. Many now survive by uprooting groundnuts or working on other people’s farms for food,” he explained.

The mayor also raised concern over deteriorating sanitation conditions in the town, warning of potential disease outbreaks due to the absence of public latrines.

“People defecate in open areas because there are no public toilets. We urge health organizations to help raise awareness and support the construction of pit latrines to prevent disease,” he appealed.

Majok-Yith-Thiou, located along the border between South Sudan and Sudan, has historically served as a key commercial hub, facilitating trade and movement between the two countries. However, ongoing conflict in Sudan has disrupted cross-border trade and increased the flow of displaced populations into the area.