“We feel forgotten,” Abiemnhom displaced tell Juba officials

2026-03-17 - 07:46

Thousands of civilians in Abiemnhom County are appealing for urgent humanitarian support following a deadly attack that left homes, markets, and the county’s only hospital in ruins. According to local authorities, an estimated 2,656 households are now in dire need of assistance after armed youth from Mayom County in Unity State raided Abiemnhom on 1 March, killing nearly 200 people, including the county commissioner, executive director, and members of the armed forces. Eye Radio cannot independently verify the displaced population figures. Markets, shops, and homes were burned into ashes The violence forced residents to flee to safer locations in Abyei Town, Agok, and Ajak Kuac in Warrap State. During the attack, the county hospital was vandalized, medical supplies looted, mattresses stolen, and laboratory equipment destroyed, leaving the facility inoperable. Markets, shops, and homes were also burned. Authorities estimate 208 foreign and local traders lost goods worth more than 1 billion South Sudanese Pounds. Youth representative Awelker Mading described the destruction and called for urgent intervention. “Nothing is left here. Houses burned, everything looted. NGOs and the government must step in for people to return safely,” he told Eye Radio. Another survivor, Nyalang Mawien, who lost her husband and son, said: “We feel forgotten. We need security and food to survive. The government must act.” A government delegation headed by Humanitarian Affairs Minister Albino Atak visited the area on Monday to assess the situation on the ground where they addressed the displaced persons. Local authorities reported that 1,829 households fled to Abyei Town, 493 to Agok, and 334 to Ajak Kuac in Warrap State. Survivors continue to appeal for immediate humanitarian assistance as the destruction of homes, markets, and health facilities has left them vulnerable to hunger and disease.