By Matik Kueth
At least more than 24,000 people in Leer County, Unity are facing a deepening humanitarian crisis after days of relentless rainfall and the swelling of the Nile River submerged large parts of the area, according to local authorities.
Dor Mathiang, Leer’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) Coordinator, told King Media in an interview on Monday that entire villages have been cut off as floodwaters swept through eight of Leer’s 16 payams, destroying homes, farmland, and livestock.
He said families are now marooned on scattered islands and elevated patches of land, struggling to survive without food, clean water, or medical care.
“The situation is worse than we have ever seen. People are stranded, children are hungry, and disease is spreading faster than we can respond,” Mathiang stated.
Mathiang noted that the floods have disrupted schools and local markets, forcing thousands of children out of class and leaving traders unable to restock essential goods.
Sarah Nyagoa, a community mobilizer working for Concern Worldwide (CW) in Leer, reported a surge in malaria and diarrhea cases, compounding the already dire conditions.
“The situation is dire, and there are a lot of diseases infecting people, including Malaria. Most people have nowhere to sleep, though they have fled to higher grounds,” she stressed.
According to her, with access roads washed away, humanitarian groups face growing logistical challenges in reaching affected areas.
The RRC coordinator appealed to aid agencies to deploy boats and air support to deliver life-saving supplies.
“We urgently need food, medicine, and temporary shelters. If help doesn’t come quickly, we could be looking at a full-blown disaster,” he urged.
As floodwaters continue to rise, fears mount that more communities in Unity State could soon face the same fate.