RUMBEK, South Sudan – Western Bahr el Ghazal State has donated medical supplies to Lakes State Hospital in Rumbek to help treat victims of recent deadly communal clashes.
A delegation from Western Bahr el Ghazal, led by Caretaker Health Minister Joseph Moses Ugudo and the state’s peace and security adviser, delivered 53 cartons of medical supplies to the hospital on Monday.
Ugudo said the donation was intended to support the hospital as it treats casualties from violence in Rumbek town involving members of the Nyang community in Rumbek Central County and the Gak community of Pakam in Rumbek North County.
“We came with a little medical donation from Western Bahr el Ghazal State to support our Rumbek State Hospital, particularly our civilians in Lakes State,” Ugudo said.
He said the delegation was sent by Western Bahr el Ghazal Caretaker Governor Sheriff Daniel Sheriff to assist victims of the violence.
Lakes State Caretaker Health Minister Makur Matur Koriom welcomed the donation, saying it would support the hospital’s response to the casualties.
“We look forward to continuing to work together and collaborate in the spirit of one people in one region so that we can address our challenges as one team,” Koriom said.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the donation but urged the national Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners to provide further assistance, including trauma support and reconciliation programmes.
CEPO’s Lakes State coordinator, Daniel Laat Kon, also called on authorities to ensure the supplies reach the intended patients free of charge and urged the government to investigate the causes of the violence.
“We reiterate our call to the government to investigate the root causes of this violence in Lakes State to be addressed including community disarmament, deployment of professional security, justice and accountability for perpetrators and community dialogue, he said.
The clashes have left dozens dead and scores wounded, although casualty figures remain disputed.