Internally displaced people living in Momoi Boma of Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, are demanding answers over alleged irregularities in the distribution of cash assistance. The assistance was intended for elderly people and persons with disabilities. According to reports, individuals who were not listed as beneficiaries allegedly collected part of the money during a distribution exercise on October 16. The displaced residents had fled from Western Equatoria State.
Marko Lidia, one of the affected residents, expressed concern over the incident, which occurred after 21 elderly beneficiaries had already received their payments. He questioned how people who were not among the intended recipients managed to access the assistance. Lidia acknowledged previous support from Solidarity South Sudan, including the provision of hand pumps and construction of toilets at the settlement.
Perina Richard Ujang, the settlement's youth secretary, said community representatives had approached the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) seeking clarification on the incident. She questioned what action the government, the RRC, and Solidarity South Sudan would take to address the concerns. Residents are still waiting for an official response to their complaints.
Momoi Boma Chief Anthony Mongu Ali Marjan confirmed that beneficiary cards had been issued to intended recipients before the distribution. He alleged that some individuals collected money meant for vulnerable residents and called for intervention to support displaced families facing hunger and shortages of basic necessities.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Western Bahr el Ghazal State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Samuel Julio Dangba, confirmed that representatives of the settlement had visited the commission to present their concerns. Dangba acknowledged the difficult conditions facing the displaced community and appealed to humanitarian organisations to provide urgent assistance.
The incident has raised concerns about the management of humanitarian assistance in the region. Displaced residents are calling on the state government, through the RRC, to investigate the reported irregularities and ensure that vulnerable people receive the assistance intended for them.
Voice of Hope Radio contacted Solidarity South Sudan for comment on the reported incident but had not received a response by the time of broadcast. The displaced residents are still awaiting a response from the relevant authorities.
Key points
- The alleged misuse of cash assistance has sparked concerns about the management of humanitarian aid in the region.
- Displaced residents are demanding accountability and action from the government and humanitarian organisations.
- The incident has highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in accessing essential assistance.
