Assessment and Support for IDPs: TEYA Leadership Visit and Aid Distribution in Guolyar

The leadership of TEYA, led by chairman Hon. Arok Dut Arok, consisted of the TEYA executives, Nyir Cit Arialbeek executives with their leader Hon. Adut Mamer Ayach, and other working commission committee members of TEYA. The team visited the IDP people to assess their living conditions. During their visit to Guolyar, the TEYA delegation brought sanitary pads for ladies and young women, as well as washing soap for IDPs. These items were intended to be distributed to those in need.

Hon. Philip Mawut Garang, the Awerial County Commissioner, expressed his happiness towards the leadership of TEYA for their visit to the people in Guolyar IDPs camp. He emphasized that the people of Awerial and Twic East County are one people, divided only by the river Nile. He highlighted the importance of visiting and understanding the living conditions of their people in order to address their challenges effectively.

Commissioner Garang also mentioned that the Aliab people take pride in the Twic East community and that there may be a plan for them to return home. He further reported that UN agencies have been supporting the IDPs in the Guolyar IDPs settlement.

According to Commissioner Garang of Awerial County, he confirmed to the delegation that the World Food Program (WFP) will officially close their operations in Guolyar in January 2024. He emphasized the need for further assistance to help the IDPs in Guolyar.

Many people from Guolyar attended the gathering in order to listen to the TEYA delegation. Both elders and youth and women were present. In the absence of outgoing Youth leader, Akoy Anyang Ajang, the Chairperson elect, Jok Majok Kuany, attended the gathering along with the IEC Jok Deng Garang, who welcomed the TEYA team to Guolyar. The administrators who witnessed the TEYA visit to the people of Guolyar were Dhieu Nul Reec from Nyuak, Majhok Akoy from Kongor, Mayen Kuir Anyar from Ajuong, Deng Kuol Awai as the head administrator, Matiop Bul Achut from Pakeer, and Alek Malual Alaak representing the women's leadership.

Hon. Garang Chol Garang, a member of the TEYA General Assembly, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome from the people of Guolyar and confirmed that the team was well received.

Hon. Dut Abraham Manyang stated that they came to find out the challenges faced by IDPs and the people of Twic East County in Guolyar.

Dr. Aguer Garang Bul, as part of the TEYA leadership, assured that they will maintain connection with the community in Guolyar

Dr. Mabior Kiir, the Secretary of Health of TEYA, appealed to the Twic East community, stating that TEYA in Juba will support them in terms of health capacity. He also mentioned that TEYA has plans to protect young women, including providing hygiene items.

Deng Longar, the Chairperson of Lith Payam, encouraged the Twic East people to live harmoniously with the host community of Aliab in Guolyar.

Nyandeng Awai Ajang, the Chairlady of Nyiir Cit Arialbeek, made an appeal to the community, specifically encouraging them to prioritize sending their children, especially girls, to school.

Adut Mamer Ayach, the Chairlady of Nyir Cit Arialbeek in Juba, assured the community that they will stand with them and provide support in whatever they need. TEYA will also provide training on personal hygiene for women.

Muolana Ajang Duot Bior expressed his appreciation for the Youth leadership in Guolyar, particularly acknowledging the intelligence and effectiveness of the IEC under Jok Deng Garang. Ajong, representing the ladies, expressed her happiness to the people of Guolyar.

Mabior Arok Mabior, the representative of the five payams, appealed to TEYA, under the leadership of Arok Dut Arok, to install security cameras in homes and build a library for the school. Maketh Kuot and Jok Majok Kuany both acknowledged the support of TEYA in Juba and expressed the desire to take Twic East County to new heights.

Jok Majok Kuany also called on those who were defeated to work in cooperation with the leadership on board and contribute more to the community Sultan Yai Kureng Yai expressed his happiness for the visit of TEYA leadership to Guolyar. He encouraged Arok Dut Arok, the TEYA chairman, and Adut Mamer Ayach, the Chairlady of Nyir Cit Arialbeek, to work diligently for the Twic People without any reservations, emphasizing that they are from the same community. Sultan Chol Yak expressed his appreciation for the mission of TEYA to Guolyar.

Maroldit Garang Deng Khoch acknowledged that TEYA in Juba is now a full-fledged government and commended their commitment. He highlighted the challenges faced in Guolyar, particularly regarding access to food for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), and appealed to Arok to work on consultation to address this issue. Maroldit, the head chief of Guolyar, also mentioned that he is working to protect marriages from divorce.

Deng Kuol Awai, the CA, expressed appreciation to the commissioner of Awerial for warmly welcoming the TEYA delegation and recommended that TEYA in Juba keep a close eye on Guolyar.

Hon. Moulana Reech Majok Deng expressed his gratitude for the attendance and assured everyone that Arok Dut Arok will do everything possible for Twic East County. He also appreciated Maroldit Garang Deng Khoch.

Hon. Arok Arok, the chairman of TEYA in Juba, was greeted in Jesus' name, and greetings were conveyed from the Twic East Community Association in Juba, Ambassador Bior Ajang Duot, and Twic East globally. In his leadership, he plans to tour various areas for the benefit of his people, starting with Mangalla, Panyangor, and now Guolyar. He hopes that Twic East will experience better things in the future. He also mentioned that 60 students have been sent for vocational studies, and 55 more students will be admitted this month. The meeting for TEYA was officially closed and the delegation has left for Juba.

By Daniel Machar Dhieu
TEYA Writer & Content Creator