Stephen Nyodho Ador, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malakal after speaking to Eye Radio on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. Photo: Charles Wote/Eye Radio

The Catholic Bishop of Malakal in Upper Nile State says returnees displaced by the conflict in Sudan are facing a dire humanitarian situation in the state.

Bishop Stephen Nyodho says the situation has worsened due to the rainy season.

The cleric says about 300-500 returnees are arriving in the town on a daily basis from Renk – most of whom are women and children who are living without food and shelter.

According to him, reception points are overcrowded although some of the returnees are being transported to different parts of the country by UN agencies, government and well-wishers.

“The people are arriving every day, but the humanitarian situation is still tough because even if it rains there is no proper place, there are many people in the same area, the reception area,” said Stephen.

“There is rain and if it rains and you don’t have food in the stomach is one of the issues and one of the challenges these people are facing,”

“They have run away from Khartoum empty-handed, then they need to eat leave alone another thing.”

Bishop Nyodho calls on well-wishers to support the returnees with basic necessities, adding that the issue should not be left to the government and NGOs.

“We still call upon the people of South Sudan, especially the generous people to see the issue, not only the government or NGOs, even our normal civilians,” Bishop Nyodho said.

“I think is better to cooperate and come together than for us to help the vulnerable people coming from Sudan,” he said.

“There are also diseases affecting the children here and there, then is a raining season and these people need to be rescued.”