The members of the Unity State community in Juba have donated SSP 35 million, USD 14,600, and four boats to help flood victims back home.
Unity State is among the states that have been hard hit by unprecedented and devastating flooding which has displaced large sections of the population and predisposed them to hunger and waterborne diseases.
Peter Makuoth Malual, the spokesperson of the Bentiu Flood Response Committee, told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the money was raised at a fundraising event last month at the Freedom Hall in Juba which was attended by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, Presidential Security Advisor Tut Gatluak, and Defense Minister Angelina Teny among others.
“The money we raised that day (21 October) was SSP 35,037,000 and USD 14,600 in cash. There were also pledges to the tune of SSP 24,458,000 and USD 24,720,” he said. “The First Vice President donated two boats and Tut Gatluak also donated another two boats. Other items like clothes and blankets were also donated and they are with us right now.”
According to Malual, his committee will deliberate on how best to allocate the resources and items realized from the fundraising to the flood-affected communities in Unity State.
“Maybe we will buy materials or food items but as a committee, we are going to sit and design what method we are going to use to hand that money to the people in need,” Malual said.
Meanwhile, Samaan Gatnyang Tap, a flood victim in Unity State urged the committee to use the funds to contract a construction company to build dykes.
Torrential rains and resultant floods have destroyed farmlands plantations, buildings, education centers, health facilities, and boreholes among others, and killed scores of people and livestock in the oil-rich state.
Source: Radio Tamazuj