Food, water shortage hit Elegu refugee camp

Amuru/ADJUMANI

Inadequate food supply, water shortage and poor sanitation has hit Elegu refugee transit site in Amuru District.

A total of 2,000 refugees from South Sudan are camped at Elegu Primary School in Atiak Sub-county. They have cried out to the donor community to come to their rescue. Ms Betty Lawino from Jongolei state and a mother of five, says the situation at the site is worrying.
The Atiak Sub-county chairperson, Mr John Bosco Ochan, said the transit site is not suitable for the refugees since it lacks most of the necessary amenities.

The only pit-latrine available has only five compartments compared to the population of the refugees. “There is no water in place, food is a challenge and latrine is also full. We are scared that sanitation-related diseases might break out,” Mr Ochan commented.

The only borehole that has been serving the camp also broke down. “The refugees are also becoming destructive by cutting trees, destroying school desk for firewood,” Mr Ocan said.
UPDF 4th Division spokesperson Isaac Oware said the Office of the Prime Minister was working to see that the refugees at Elegu Primary School are moved to another area where they can get the basic needs. Alele Refugee Camp in Adjuman District is full, he said.

Meanwhile, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Gen Moses Ali, has appealed to residents of Adjumani District to welcome and offer support to South Sudanese refugees without any reservation.

Gen Ali said the asylum seekers have flooded the district not by choice but because they were victims of violence caused by a rebellion in their country. He said the refugees require security, land to settle on, medical care and sharing of the natural resources.

A senior official in the Office of the Prime Minister recently said they have registered 10,000 South Sudanese asylum seekers who have entered into Adjumani District.

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