Women and Residents of Joppa West Cry Out Over Rising Insecurity, Rape, and Lack of Basic Services

By Denilson Deneki

Residents of Joppa West Block A on the outskirts of Juba are living in fear and desperation as increasing insecurity, gang violence, sexual violence, and lack of essential services threaten their survival.

For many families, daily life has become a struggle for survival. Women, children, and vulnerable residents say they feel abandoned and forgotten, despite living within South Sudan’s capital city.

“We are living like people who are not in the same Juba City,” said Joice, a resident of Joppa West Block A, during a community engagement meeting with Global Voices Organisation (GVO).

Access to clean drinking water remains one of the community’s most urgent challenges. Most households depend on unsafe wells and rainwater during the rainy season, while in the dry season, families rely on water tankers that often fail to arrive.

“When the water tankers do not come, life becomes very difficult for us,” Joice explained.

Health conditions are deteriorating rapidly, with residents suffering from malaria, typhoid, flu, and coughs. Although Gurei Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) serves nearby communities, residents report frequent shortages of medicines, forcing long waits without receiving proper treatment.

“You can spend the whole day at the health center only to be told there are no drugs,” said another resident.

For severe cases, residents must travel long distances to Juba Teaching Hospital a costly and arduous journey, especially during emergencies.

Beyond health issues, insecurity has become the community’s most frightening reality. Residents accuse criminal gangs, known locally as “Niggas,” of terrorizing the community through robberies, assaults, and violent attacks. Despite repeated efforts by authorities and residents to curb crime, gangs continue to grow stronger.

“These gangs are beating people, robbing residents, and creating fear in the community,” Joice said. “The government has tried many times to intervene, but they disappear for a while and then come back.”

Women and girls are among the hardest hit by insecurity, with increasing reports of rape and gender-based violence (GBV). Many survivors struggle to access support and justice.

Residents also expressed frustration over the loss of trust in local security forces. A police post established in the area reportedly failed to provide protection and, instead, became a source of fear.

“We no longer report cases there because people have lost trust in them,” Joice explained. “Now we take cases to Kubri Haboba or Munuki Police Stations.”

Survivors of GBV are referred to Gurei PHCC or Juba Teaching Hospital for medical assistance.

During the community engagement, Keji Viola George, Advocacy Officer at GVO, explained that the intervention followed a protection risk assessment conducted in Gudele and Joppa under a one-year project in partnership with DCA.

“We found that many GBV cases are happening in the community,” Keji said. “Previous partners responded to GBV issues, but support stopped due to lack of funding, leaving survivors without help.”

GVO has introduced community awareness sessions to educate residents on GBV, available support systems, and referral pathways. They also set up suggestion boxes for residents to report protection concerns.

Keji noted the community’s willingness to share their challenges openly and appreciated the opportunity to raise awareness.

“We are happy that the community has shared the different forms of gender-based violence they face and the many challenges they are going through,” she said. “They are also pleased that we have come to raise awareness and guide them on how to respond to such cases.”

Despite the hardships, residents acknowledge that civil society organizations have brought hope. They particularly commend the work previously done by Active Youth Agency (AYA) and warmly welcome GVO’s involvement.

“With your coming, we now believe our voices will be heard,” Joice told GVO representatives. “We know you will carry our concerns beyond these borders so that we can get support.”

Community members are now appealing to the government, humanitarian agencies, and well-wishers to urgently improve security, healthcare, water access, and support for survivors of violence.

For the residents of Joppa West Block A, their struggle is no longer only about poverty it’s about survival, dignity, protection, and the urgent need to be heard.