Hunger ruled supreme, because people had been mobile and could not therefore cultivate. Rains were irregular and it was difficult to transport food from the SPLA areas to the government-held towns. Endemic diseases, lack of shelter, medicines and low and irregular salaries characterized the town, Wau. Many children of school age are displaced to Wau town. They are unaccompanied and traumatized.
Tribalism is ascendant as politicians exploit the ignorance of their tribal groups.
In Upper Nile Region schools were not yet opened and rains were still being expected. Three-quarters of the main town was provided with water. Though four churches work in Malakal, where there is calm, outside Malakal and in Bentiu heavy fighting was going on. The region embarked on capacity building for women, men and youth by conducting workshops on management and leadership. Renk, the second-largest town to Malakal, was lost to thousands of displaced people from Maban and other areas.