Displaced civilians await relief food distribution in Pibor | File photo

12 community deaths from an unknown illness were reported in Kassingor in Buma state, according to the assessment made by humanitarian organizations.

The assessment was carried out by International Organization for Migration and others humanitarian partners in Boma state.

It said that this is not unusual in South Sudan given the lack of health facilities countrywide.

There was also no stock of Oral Rehydration Salts at the time of the assessment, an assessment report said.

Local authorities “verbally report 12 community deaths since the onset of the rainy season in June”.

It added that “vomiting and watery diarrhea were reported as symptoms” but it remains unclear whether the deaths are attributable to cholera.

The only organization working in the area is the Carter Center, which works on the eradication of Guinea worm as well as trachoma elimination, an assessment indicated.

It added that water, hygiene, and sanitation activities are severely compromised in the village.

Among the six boreholes the community uses as sources of drinking water, only one is functional, an assessment revealed.