Arothi‘s husband was killed by marauding cattle-rustlers – mostly armed youths from the Lou Nuer tribe. Along with her six children, she’d been hiding in the bush for almost two days before walking for two hours to Gumuruk where Plan is distributing food.
She is among scores of women who have been widowed in the violent clashes between Murle and Lou Nuer tribes in the strife-torn Jonglei state of South Sudan. The conflict has created a humanitarian crisis where thousands are struggling for food and have no clean drinking water or shelter.
Harrowing stories
Survivors tell harrowing stories, “We heard the Lou Nuer attackers were coming to take our cattle away. My children and I hid in the bush as my husband drove the cattle,” says Arothi.
“Soon we heard some gun shots and I knew that they were shooting at the men. We saw the attackers returning with the cows, but we stayed under the cover of shrubs.
“We were frightened and stayed there all night. We came out the following afternoon. My children started crying and some of the men who survived the attack came back to check on us. I was then summoned by the elders. At that point I knew something was wrong – I started crying even before they broke the news. They told me my husband was killed and they had already buried him.”
Arothi, in her 40s, is now relying on the relief food items supplied by Plan, hoping that it will keep her and her children alive. “I managed to come to Gumuruk with only three of my six children because the rest were sick and had to remain in the bush. My children need food before they die of hunger,” she says.
In partnership with the World Food Programme, Plan is distributing cereals, beans and other food to the homeless - mostly women and children. So far we have reached 50,000 people. We are also preparing to deliver water, hygiene kits, fishing tools and seeds.
Keeping children safe
Like Arothi, Adikira, a mother of three from Manyat Village fled to Gumuruk when her village came under attack from the Lou Nuer tribe members. “We owned 300 cattle and depended on them for milk. The attackers looted everything: blankets, clothes and the little food we had,” she says. “Our children have nothing to sleep on. My second child wakes up and cries at night because we don’t have any blankets to cover him with”.
“We heard that Plan was registering people so that they can receive food aid. That is why we are here waiting to be registered so that we can get some food for our children,” said Adikira.
Plan is trying to reach as many at-risk people as possible, especially children. “In addition to the physical needs like water and food, providing emotional first aid for young people is a key requirement,” said Fikru Abebe, Plan’s Country Director in South Sudan. “We are also implementing programmes to keep children safe and help them continue their education during this time of upheaval,” he added.
We need your help
Thousands are in need of help in the current crisis situation. A one-off donation from you today could do so much.
You can give online or over the phone on 0800 526 848.
Find out more about Plan's work in South Sudan.