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The Episcopal Diocese of Liwolo in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State has appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance following recent armed hostilities that it says have displaced an estimated 10,000 people.

In a public appeal, Bishop Joseph Abba of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan said thousands of civilians had fled their homes after attacks in the Andejo area on Tuesday, July 15, and amid what he described as continuing threats of attacks on Pure, Goloko and Nyayinga Muda.

“Another tragedy has befallen us,” Bishop Abba said as he appealed for emergency assistance to internally displaced people.

The bishop alleged that the displacement followed an attack involving the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and referred to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces in describing the incident. The circumstances surrounding the fighting and the allegations could not be independently verified.

According to the diocese, displaced families are sheltering around St. Paul Cathedral in Sokare Boma, at the primary school in Mangalatore Boma and in Keriwa Boma.

“The majority of these displaced people are children, women, elderly persons and other vulnerable individuals who escaped with little or no belongings,” Abba said.

“They are now living in overcrowded conditions with urgent needs for food, safe drinking water, emergency shelter, blankets, cooking utensils, clothing, sanitation facilities, medicines and protection services.”

The bishop said many families had been forced to spend nights in the open without adequate shelter.

“Children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, elderly persons and people living with disabilities remain exposed to hunger, disease, trauma and harsh weather conditions,” he said.

The diocese appealed to humanitarian agencies, churches, faith-based organisations, government institutions, development partners, charitable organisations and people of goodwill to provide emergency assistance.

“We therefore make this an honest appeal to humanitarian agencies, our churches, faith-based organisations, government institutions, development partners, charitable organisations and people of goodwill to urgently stand with the suffering families, particularly the children,” Abba said.

The religious leader identified priority needs as emergency food assistance, safe drinking water, emergency shelter materials, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, essential household items, medical supplies and healthcare services, hygiene and sanitation materials, and protection services for women, children and other vulnerable groups.

The bishop also called for a peaceful resolution of tensions along the Uganda–South Sudan border.

“We continue to ask you to pray for peace in this border that has cost many lives and caused many people to lose their land,” he said. “Pray that the governments of Uganda and South Sudan will resolve this issue once and for all.”