Sudan Returnees Reach Majok-Yith-Thiou
At least 300 people fleeing Sudan’s conflict reached Majok-Yith-Thiou last week, according to municipal mayor Andrea Akok Lual. He described the scene as “catastrophic” as exhausted families entered South Sudan through the Merram road carrying almost nothing.
Registration and Relocation Efforts
Local officials, working with ACTED and the International Organization for Migration, record each arrival and connect them with welcoming households. Sudanese nationals identified during screening are transported to Wedwiel Refugee Settlement for shelter, food and further documentation.
Environmental Strains on Host Farmers
Majok-Yith-Thiou’s generosity faces hard limits. Drought and an unusual millipede invasion have wrecked groundnut and sorghum fields, the mayor said, pushing many residents to trade farm labor for daily meals.
Sanitation Shortfalls and Health Risks
Sanitation adds another layer of worry. The town lacks public latrines, prompting widespread open defecation. “We need health partners to build pits and spread hygiene messages before sickness strikes,” Lual warned.
Border Hub’s Changing Role
Once a vital trade link between Sudan and South Sudan, the border post now funnels displaced families rather than goods. Aid workers caution that continued violence across the frontier could double the inflow unless a coordinated humanitarian surge stabilizes the area.