Red Cross Begins Aid Distribution to Kajo-Keji IDPs After UPDF Attack

(KAJO-KEJI COUNTY) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has begun distributing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State, following last month’s attack on a South Sudanese army outpost.

The distribution started last Friday and provided food and nonfood relief to hundreds of displaced families. Local officials say the support is vital as thousands of people remain in dire need.

On 11 August 2025, County Commissioner Wani Jackson Mule told an ICRC humanitarian assessment team in Mere that more than 16,000 people had been displaced after the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) attacked a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) outpost in Nyainga-Muda on 28 July 2025. He noted that the displaced lacked essential supplies, including food and shelter materials.

Moses Kija-Kajo, a local humanitarian coordinator, confirmed to Access Radio on Wednesday evening that 990 IDPs at Bori Centre and the Mere Buga IDP site had already received food, shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) items. He added that distributions would continue in Sunyu, Wote Kujo, Kimu, Sokare and Logo IDP villages in the coming days.

“I can confirm that the IDPs have started receiving emergency food and nonfood items from ICRC, and the verification distribution will continue,” he said.

He also appealed to other international and local partners to provide further support to the most vulnerable families.

Among the beneficiaries, IDP resident Sarah Meling in Bori Centre said her family had received food rations and tents. She expressed gratitude but also urged humanitarian organisations to supply medicines and mosquito nets.

“I am happy because my family received some food items and tents, and this will greatly help us down here. But I also call on other NGOs to help us with medicines and mosquito nets, because there are many mosquitoes and snakes around,” she told Access Radio.

Meling further appealed to both the South Sudan and Uganda governments to speed up investigations into the attack and restore peace and security so that displaced families can return home and restart farming activities.

Displaced persons said the UPDF remains in control of their villages since the 28 July 2025 attack, preventing them from returning.

Relief officials estimate that many IDPs will require sustained humanitarian support for weeks as security conditions remain uncertain.