Authorities in South Sudan’s Kapoeta State say 21,000 people displaced by inter-communal clashes in the neighboring Boma State are living under trees and are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in different parts of the state.

Inter-communal clashes in Boma’s Nachumajori area two weeks ago led to the deaths of at least 17 people, more than 100 women and children went missing and many more people were displaced.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, Peter Lokale, the head of Jie chiefs in Kapoeta says the displaced lack food, shelter, and health services in Mogos and KarKomuge areas.

“There are 17,600 displaced individuals in Mogos and 3,400 in Karkomuge areas. Since they arrived after clashes, they did not receive any aid. Now, the immediate needs are shelter, food and healthcare services,” he said.

He also pointed out that cases of diarrhea and coughing are high among children and the elderly as they lack clean drinking water, adding that the displaced have worsened the already bad humanitarian situation in Mogos and Karkomuge areas.

Lokale is appealing to aid agencies operating in the country to assist the needy families in Kapoeta.