PoC Camp Secretary Urges Government Action Amid Dire Conditions

The Secretary for Information in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) Camp 3, Jinub Viel Yak, has raised alarm over the deteriorating living conditions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the camp.

By Jenifer James

 The Secretary for Information in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) Camp 3, Jinub Viel Yak, has raised alarm over the deteriorating living conditions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the camp.

 Yak called on the government to urgently address the lack of healthcare and worsening sanitation in the camp.

“There are a lot of challenges in Camp 3. People are living without health facilities, and the organization that used to help with garbage collection is no longer here,” said Yak in an interview on Tuesday in Juba.

 He urged the Juba City Council to also intervene in managing waste management to prevent the spread of diseases such as cholera.

“The hygiene situation is bad, and there is nothing we can do about it. We need the Central Equatoria State government to step in and address this issue,” said Yak. 

Since the pullout of several humanitarian organizations in 2023, IDP camps have faced severe shortages of food, shelter, and basic services. While Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) recently launched efforts to combat cholera, Yak noted that these measures are not enough to tackle the broader health crisis.

“There is an urgent need for continuous healthcare, including mental health support and preventive measures,” he disclosed.

Yak asked the Central Equatoria State Minister of Health and the National Ministry of Health, led by Yolanda Awel Deng, to coordinate a comprehensive response.

With vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with special needs at the highest risk, the situation remains critical.

However, the representative of women in POC camp 3, Asunta Adok, paints a vivid picture of the challenges women and girls endure. 

“For women and girls, it’s even worse. We need privacy and safety, but the overcrowded toilets offer neither,” said Adok.

The lack of safety is a constant concern. Many women fear venturing to the toilets at night due to the absence of proper lighting and security.

 “We risk harassment or worse when we go out after dark. Some of us have resorted to waiting until daylight, no matter how urgent the need,” said Adok.

The limited sanitation facilities exacerbate hygiene issues. Overflowing toilets and the lack of proper waste management have led to rising cases of infections and illnesses.

Last year the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Paulino Lukudo, acknowledged the lack of services in PoC camps and assured the residents that the state government would address the hygiene crisis.

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