Water crisis hits parts of Eastern Equatoria due to drought
The community of Obira Boma in Eastern Equatoria State is facing scarcity of water following several months of drought in the area.
Allam William Eka, the Secretary of Information for Obira Community, said the only two boreholes helping more than 20,000 people have all broken down, adding that nearby water sources have dried up.
“The situation here is very terrible, there is no drinking water completely, and people are suffering, people go into the bushes searching for drinking water,” William told Juba Echo by phone on Wednesday.
William said pastoralists are trekking to neighboring Oguruny and Olianga areas to graze animals
He called on the state government of Eastern Equatoria State to rescue his community.
“The government in the state should quickly respond to the needs of the people, there is no way we can get water at the moment and this is going to force people to go from Obira Boma to another boma to collect water which might cause tension,” William said.
The population in Obira is estimated to be 20,015 residents.
For his part, Pio Oset Osman, the Sub-chief of Obira Boma said, water scarcity is always a major crisis in Obira during the ongoing dry season.
“We in Obira are suffering from serious lack of water, I call on the government of South Sudan and non-governmental organizations to construct water points in Obira,” Osman said.
He added that humans and animals share the same water ponds during the dry season, which puts lives at risk of catching water borne diseases.
Osman also disclosed that tensions tend to simmer between Obira community and those in the neighbors in Loguruny and Lolianga areas during dry season.
Michael Soboyong, Obira youth leader said he has always raised concerns of lack of water to the authorities during workshops, but there has not been any positive feedback.
“I am tired of talking about the issue of water in the workshops and meetings I have always attended. Women are suffering up to now because of the distance it takes to fetch water, even the cattle are suffering,” he said.
