Thousands of returnees travelling from Northern to Southern Sudan are stranded in Kosti in very dire conditions waiting for barges to take them for their final destinations.
Fr. Onesimus Ochieno, the Catholic parish-priest of Kosti, told SCR News over the phone that last week there were 6,000 thousand people waiting for transportation and the authorities are expecting another 7,000 to arrive.Fr. Ochieno said the returnees suffer from lack of safe water, shelter and security.
Fr. Ochieno said the coordination among aid groups is very poor and the returnees are suffering very much due to shortage of food and very cold nights.
He added that since last week only one barge came south while people heading to Malakal took the bus instead.
Fr. Ochieno said the Church authorities met this morning to follow up the situation and try to assist the thousands of southerners stranded in Kosti.