Prime
Over 190,000 South Sudan refugees hit by water shortage
A group of refugees crowd at a water tank. Many refugees in the camp spend hours at such points to get water. Photo by Warom Okello
YUMBE- At least 190,000 South Sudanese refugees in Bidibidi Camp, in Yumbe District are facing an acute water shortage, a situation that has worsened the dire living conditions in the settlement.
The refugees fled from various tribal clashes and security volatility especially in the Eastern Equatorial towns of Yei and Nimule.
Mr Taban Saverino, a refugee says the water being supplied by agencies like OXFAM is not enough because of the big number of refugees.
"The congestion at the water points is too much and people spend hours at the points trying to get water.
He said the problem could only be reduced by drilling more boreholes in the settlement.
Ms Mary Akol, another refugee said: “My children cannot bathe because the water we get is used to cook food. The situation is not different from our dry lands in South Sudan.”
Mr Robert Baryamwesiga, the settlement commandant said the low water table has frustrated efforts by UN agencies to drill boreholes in the camp.
"The UN agencies have drilled some boreholes in the settlements and in addition to that, we pump water from River Nile through Obongi which is 68 kilometers from the camp, which makes it very expensive to transport," he said.
He said the community is in dire need of water since the available water in the reservoirs is not enough for refugees and nationals.
Mr Nasir Fernandes, the UNHCR senior emergency officer said they are studying the water situation in the settlement.
