Influx of returnees causes water shortage in Bentiu IDP camp
Thousands of internally displaced people in Bentiu IDP camp are facing water shortage due to the daily arrivals of hundreds of returnees fleeing conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Gatjiek Biliny Hoth, a 78-year- old elderly person living in Sector-4 of Bentiu IDP camp, said on Wednesday that some people are now fetching dirty water in flooded swamps.
“We are experiencing acute water shortage because our population increased,” Hoth told Juba Echo.
Bentiu IDP camp housing temporary shelters has become congested following arrival of returnees from Sudan.
Hoth urged humanitarian organizations to help drill more water points to solve the problem of water shortage.
“As I am talking to you now women and girls are fighting at water points. The water we fetch these days is only for cooking food, what about drinking water and washing clothes. We have talked to humanitarian organizations and they are yet to respond,” he said.
Chap Wuon Biet, Chairperson of the high-level committee in Bentiu IDP camp, said he is in contact with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners to address the issue of water shortage.
Bentiu IDP camp prior to the influx of returnees was already home to thousands of people displaced by conflict that erupted in December 2013.
