Residents displaced by floods in Twic East County, Jonglei State, are facing a surge in skin infections.
In late August, over 40,000 people in Panyagor were forced
to leave their homes after heavy rains submerged the area. Many relocated to
higher grounds along the Jonglei Canal, camping in open conditions.
Exposure to unclean water and mosquito bites has reportedly
triggered widespread skin infections among the displaced.
Bol Malual, one of the displaced people, spoke to Mingkaman FM,
urging the County Health Department to provide immediate medical support.
“We suspect that it is dirt from water because it started
when it rained, all the latrines in Panyagoor here are submerged and this might
have caused this because it wasn’t there previously. As I talk to you now, I am
crushing my skin,” Malual said.
Dr. Chol Leek Deng, Twic East’s Health Director, confirmed
the outbreak and said the department is working to deliver medicines to
affected areas.
“There is no other special treatment. It is the same
medication for allergic reactions that we give. They were supplied in April but
as the cases continue to grow, they are out of stock, and we don’t have them
now,” Leek stated.
The skin disease outbreak has compounded the severe
humanitarian needs of the affected population, who continue to appeal for
urgent food and shelter assistance. Young children, the elderly, and people
with disabilities are among the most affected, as many remain exposed to
open-air camping.
Reuben Maker Ajhok, the county’s Relief and Rehabilitation
Commission coordinator, acknowledged the challenges and confirmed that a
request for assistance has been submitted to UN OCHA for consideration.