Displaced civilians from Panyikang County sitting under tree. - Courtesy photo.

A civil society activist in Upper Nile State has appealed to the government to improve security situation in Panyikang and Fashoda counties for the safe return of Internally Displaced Persons to their homes.

Months of violent conflict – involving military factions and armed youths, has displaced tens of thousands into the UN’s Protection of Civilians Site in Malakal.

John Luong, Chairperson of the state civil society network said the IDPs are in a dire humanitarian situation inside the already crowded camps.

“The situation is really terrible and they are asking the government to bring back security in those areas like in the areas of Panyikang so that they can go and continue with their livelihood activities,” he said.

The activist said farmlands left behind by the displaced civilians – are being destroyed by animals ‘because there is no one who is taking care of them there.”

Luong appeals to the government to create a conducive environment for the IDPs to safely return home and rebuild their lives.

“They don’t want to live in the PoC, they want to live in their home areas because those were the areas under the government forces, not the IO forces. They have been living there peacefully because they knew that it was the government forces that were there.”