Yei market fire victims need assistance to rebuild businesses, says official

By Awan Achiek

The Commissioner of Lainya County of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Khamis has called for urgent assistance to traders that lost their merchandise following outbreak of fire on Wednesday in Dar el Salam Market in Yei River County.

Khamis sympathized with traders in Dar el Salam Market over the fire incident which destroyed their goods said to be worth billions of South Sudan pounds.

“My sincere solidarity with the traders of Dar Salam market in Yei for the unfortunate fire incident that has destroyed many shops and businesses,” said Khamis in a statement issued on Thursday.

Over 325 shops were gutted by fire in Dar el Salam market which broke out at 7:30 P.M.

Only 12 shops survived the fire in the popular market and no fatalities were reported.

Only three traders were hospitalized after fainting as result of shock due to the losses incurred.

Khamis stressed the need to provide victims with business restart packages and loans to those who can afford to get back on their feet.

“In a special way, I want to appeal to commercial banks and other development partners who support entrepreneurship to quickly intervene to assess those affected, and possibly find alternative means of providing business restart packages and loans to those who can afford to get back on their feet,” he disclosed.

Khamis appealed to God to open the gates of heaven to rescue those affected.

He noted that Yei River County hosts traders from across regions of the country and neighboring countries.

“Equally, traders hailing from Lainya County doing business in Yei were victims of the unfortunate incident,” said Khamis.