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South Sudan

South Sudan - Panyikang, Upper Nile State: IRNA Report - 8 October 2021

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Panyikang County is located 98Km southwest of Malakal town in Upper Nile State. The county is composed of five Payams: Dhothim, Panyikang, Panyiduay, Anagdier and Tonga the County capital. Panyikang County is occupied mainly by Shilluk (Collo) ethnic group. The County share borders with Jonglei State to the south-east, Unity State to the south-west and South Khordofan of Sudan to the north-west.

According to 2008 census, Panyikang County population was estimated at 45,427. The people practice small scale farming, cattle rearing, and fishing as sources of livelihoods. Cultivation starts in early April, when the rainy season begins. The main crops grown in the area include sorghum and vegetables such as okra, melon juice and other vegetables.

The protracted conflict that erupted in capital Juba in December 2013 affected and displaced people in Upper Nile including Panyikang County. Loss of lives, looting of properties and burning of civilian houses, destruction of installations/facilities such as schools, water points, health facilities and sources of livelihoods took place.

In August 2018 the Revitalize Peace Agreement signed between the government of South Sudan and SPLM/IO, gave hope to many refugee and IDPs living in various location in neighboring countries and IDPs camps. At least 8,000 individuals spontaneously returned to Tonga Payam. Many still desire to return to their villages of origin to begin livelihood activities.

In April 2021, floods displaced over 7,000 people from Fangak into Tonga. In mid-August and early September 2021, the Nile burst its banks gushing waters to the entire western bank and displaced people in Tonga town,
Nyiluak, Pakwa and Uwachi in Panyikang County. The entire population is currently squatting on higher grounds deep in the forests as others proceed to Lery refugee camp in Sudan. Panyikang County does not have any road network. The villages are currently accessible by local canoes and walking on foot 20 – 45 minutes in swamps to reach the affected populations.

Following the reports of increased floods in Panyikang County and displacement of the population to higher grounds, ICCG members in Malakal recommended an Inter-Cluster Rapid Needs Assessment (IRNA) in Nyiluak,
Uwachi, Pakwa and Tonga Payams. The assessment team comprised of IOM, WHO, DRC, WV, War Child, IMC, and RuCAPD conducted the IRNA from 6 to 8 October 2021. The assessment team was challenged by inaccessibility to most sub-Bomas in the various payams.