More than 3,000 people are in “desperate” need of humanitarian assistance in Yei town, which has been cut off from Juba and Uganda by insecurity, a church leader in Yei River State has said.

Early this week, clashes between the government and opposition forces in Lutaya, Hai Dam and Sopiri residential areas forced many women and children to flee their homes.

Some camped at the compound of Emmanuel Cathedral church in the town.

The ECS Bishop Hillary Luate Adeba of Yei says most of the IDPs whose properties were looted are in dire need of food and medicine.

“Unfortunately, these things are being sold in the streets of Yei,” Bishop Luate stated. “Where are we taking this country and is the war now for us to destroy ourselves from within?”

“Starving to death”

Still on humanitarian support, Bishop Luate calls on the International community to supply food and nonfood items to rescue the situation.

He added: “There is eminent danger of people in Yei starving to death because…the people have no access to the food in the rural areas because the roads are blocked.”

“The international community should take the appeal of the bishops of Yei and begin to organize for relief assistance in form of food and nonfood items.”

The State Minister of Information, Stephen Ladu, has confirmed the displacement of the people.

Mr Ladu told Eye Radio that thousands of civilians who left their homes need relief assistance.

He said major roads linking the state to its neighbors have been closed due to insecurity.

“The situation in all the 13 counties remains calm exception of the blockage of the roads,” Mr Ladu stressed.

In previous interviews, residents of the town said there was shortage of goods in the market because supply routes have been blocked.