South Sudan’s war leaves disabled, elderly at special risk
BENTIU, South Sudan — More than 1 million disabled people are vulnerable to the increasing violence of South Sudan’s brutal civil war.
Mary Nyakwas lost her leg to a crocodile while fleeing the fighting. She and her four children had taken refuge from the conflict in a nearby swamp when the reptile attacked her.
Now the 30-year-old sits on the floor of her hut in a civilian protection camp in Bentiu, running her finger over the curve of her stump. Nyakwas relies on friends and neighbours to bring her water and food. Without them, she says, she’d starve.
“I can’t do anything for myself now,” she says.