3,450 arrive in Ibba after fleeing Ebola fears in Congo – Officials

Authorities in Ibba County, Western Equatoria State, say more than 3400 South Sudanese and Congolese nationals have arrived in the area after fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo due to fears of an Ebola outbreak.

John Venasio, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission County coordinator, says 1,816 children, 1,603 adults and 31 people with disabilities have been registered in Nabanga, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, in recent weeks.

Venasio says the returnees and Congolese nationals reported fleeing because of fears over Ebola, which is currently affecting parts of the neighbouring country.

“This is the number we registered. There are 575 households, with 355 male-headed households and 220 female-headed households. Children aged 0 to 4 years are 586, while those aged 5 to 14 years are 1230. Those aged 15 to 24 years are 766, and those aged 25 to 64 years are 771. Those aged 65 and above are 66. There are also 31 people with disabilities. The general total is 3,450,” he said, speaking to Eye Radio in an on Thursday.

Venasio says the arrivals reported fleeing following information about Ebola and awareness campaigns conducted by authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He says the returnees were initially accommodated in a church after crossing into South Sudan.

The official says a temporary transit camp has since been allocated, while health personnel have been deployed to establish a screening checkpoint and monitor the arrivals.

Ibba County Commissioner Wilson Tetela says humanitarian needs remain significant and has called on the state and national governments, as well as humanitarian organizations, to support the returnees.

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“So we have to welcome them back and take care of them. Our priority is to provide them with security and make sure they are isolated from the people who have been living in Nabanga before,” he said

“Health personnel have been deployed there, and all the necessary testing is being conducted for verification because we have Ebola cases in Congo. So, I am calling on the Western Equatoria State Government to make sure this area is safe and on the National Government to ensure that the returnees are supported, whether by the government or its partners,” he appealed.