Thousands of people have fled from new conflict in the Wunduruba area toward Lainya, located about 75 kilometers from Juba, according to local officials. 

Local authorities declined to clarify on the military situation after about four days of conflict between government and rebel forces in the Wunduruba area, preferring to discuss instead only the humanitarian situation.

Sources claimed to Radio Tamazuj that more than 5000 people fled to Lainya County in search of safety. Community leaders say the displaced need humanitarian assistance.

“We have to locate for them space. They also need food,” said one community leader who feared to be identified.

“The business people in Lainya have contributed food but it is over because it was for one day. We have no option. The people are now sheltered at one of the buildings of the county headquarters. They are more than 5000. We need food to feed the children, the old and the women,” he said.

He added, “We also need shelters. It is now three days that these people are here. We have hired cars to bring them from Wunduruba to Lainya. Until now there are some people who are in the bushes coming into Lainya.”

Community leaders said there have been several deaths but there is incomplete information about how many civilians may have died, pointing out that some elderly people who could not manage to flee and remaind indoors may be presumed dead.

According to a Lainya payam official, some people are still hiding in the bush walking a long distance seeking for safety.

“We have three camps that our people are settled in,” the payam authority said. “We have Jondoru, Bereka and Lainya headquarters. These people ran with nothing. Some have stayed for three days without food and also there is rain.”

He added, “As I talk to you the people of Katigiri have been cut off completely. Am not sure how they are living. They are around eight thousand.”

The payam official urged the government to implement the signed peace agreement, blaming the displacement on recent violations.

“We were happy when the government signed the peace. This problem all came because the peace is not implemented. My message to the state and national government is that let the peace be implemented.”