Over 10,000 IDPs in Kajo-Keji, Calls for Urgent Humanitarian Aid

(KAJO-KEJI COUNTY) – More than 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Liwolo Payam in Kajo-Keji County are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance following renewed clashes along the South Sudan-Uganda border, local authorities have said.

The displacement occurred after fighting between the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Kiriwa Boma, Liwolo Payam, at a border entry point last Tuesday.

Kajo-Keji County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) Coordinator Moses Pija-Kajo said the majority of those displaced are women and children who have fled their homes and are currently taking shelter under trees, as well as in schools and church compounds in Sokari, Mangoti, Logo, Kiriwa and Mangalotore villages on the South Sudan side of the border.

According to Pija-Kajo, a joint humanitarian rapid assessment team recently visited the affected areas and found dire conditions among the displaced population.

“The assessment found that most of the displaced people lack food, clean drinking water, medicines, shelter and other essential non-food items,” he said.

He added that the findings of the assessment would be shared with humanitarian partners and relevant government institutions to mobilise support for the affected communities.

Pija-Kajo noted that many of the displaced families are currently surviving on wild fruits due to the lack of food supplies.

“We are appealing to humanitarian organizations, development partners and the government to respond urgently to the needs of these vulnerable populations,” he said.

Meanwhile, displaced residents have described the conditions at the temporary camps as extremely difficult.

Kuyengi Modo, a mother of three, said families are struggling to cope with the growing humanitarian challenges.

“The situation is very bad. We have no food, medicines, mosquito nets, clean water or latrines, and people are congested in one place,” Modo said. “We call upon NGOs and the government to provide us with humanitarian support.”

Modo also appealed to the Government of South Sudan to find a lasting solution to the recurring border disputes, which she said continue to disrupt the lives and livelihoods of communities living along the border.

The latest displacement highlights the humanitarian consequences of ongoing tensions in border areas, with local authorities warning that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further suffering among affected families.