Conflict and climate change have pushed millions of people in South Sudan to the brink of starvation.
After a series of attacks that claimed her husband and 2 sons, Alyab Ngangdong was paralysed by the trauma she had experienced. However, when she arrived in a new town, a friendly resident took her in – and with cash support from the EU, she is gradually rebuilding her life.
Alyab Ngangdong speaks loudly and with determination. The woman, who is probably around 60 years old is hard of hearing and partly communicates through her neighbour, Sadia, who cared for her when she first arrived in Pibor, a town in eastern South Sudan.
“Sadia took me in. She could see that I needed someone to help me,” says Alyab.
Alyab has been forced to leave her home on 3 separate occasions. Initially, she fled her childhood village of Maruo after it was attacked by a neighbouring community. In the assault, her husband and both her sons were killed. The attackers – whom Alyab refers to as ‘the enemy’– did not stop at killing; they also abducted children. Fearing for their safety, Alyab took her daughter and fled. After 2 further stops for safety, each resulting in additional attacks, she eventually abandoned village life and escaped to Pibor town.
“I was traumatised when I got to Pibor. I was sick. I could not do anything,” says Alyab. She was so deeply affected by her experiences that she could no longer care for herself or her daughter.
Initially, members of the local church provided what little they could, and Sadia helped her establish a small hut of her own next to Sadia’s home - which is how they became neighbours.
“I feel safe here. There is no enemy in Pibor,” says Alyab. Although she began to recover mentally after arriving in Pibor, a new adversary emerged: hunger. Both she and her daughter struggled to secure food.
“There’s hunger here. And I do not have the energy to collect firewood and sell it so that I can buy food,” she explains, adding that her fragile constitution prevents her from engaging in even light farming.
Saida recognised Alyab as one of the vulnerable persons in the community and informed others about her need for assistance.
“And that way I got support,” says Alyab.
In 2024, the European Union delivered vital support to Alyab through a partnership managed by DanChurchAid in South Sudan and distributed by the South Sudanese NGO Nile Hope in Pibor. Over the course of 3 separate distributions, she received 311,000 South Sudanese Pounds (approximately €93). Alyab regards this assistance as a lifesaver, enabling her to purchase food and essential items, which also benefits her daughter.
After arriving in Pibor, Alyab’s daughter became pregnant and gave birth to twin boys. Due to complications during delivery, her daughter has not fully recovered and is unable to lift or carry heavy items. In other words, neither Alyab nor her daughter can do any physical work.
“My daughter needs medication and I can buy that for her. I also want to send her children to school so that they can provide for themselves and their mother one day in the future,” says Alyab. Her renewed hope for the future stands in stark contrast to the despair she once felt after fleeing her village and languishing in Pibor.
“Honestly, I never thought I’d see another day when I was sick,” she says. “If it wasn’t for the support maybe now, I’d be dead.”
