By Matik Kueth
King News 06th September Juba – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that flooding has affected more than 710,000 people in 30 out of 78 counties in South Sudan and the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA).
According to the aid agency, flooding has made the already dire humanitarian situation, which is characterized by extreme food insecurity, a declining economy, ongoing violence, disease epidemics, and the aftermath of the Sudanese conflict worse.
UNOCHA pointed out that states like Jonglei, Unity, and Warrap reported the greatest number of affected locations and residents as of September 5, 2024.
The agency emphasized that floods had severely damaged houses, crops, and vital infrastructure since May, disrupted health and education programs, and raised the possibility of disease epidemics.
“As of September 3, floods have displaced over 15,000 people in Fangak County. Registration and verification for WASH and non-food item responses are ongoing. A rapid needs assessment on September 3 reported that more than 3,600 flood-displaced individuals from Fangak in Jonglei State had recently arrived in Tonga, Panyikang County, Upper Nile State, with more people arriving daily,” UNOCHA statement read.
“While some stay in the town, others have relocated to higher ground designated by local authorities. The most urgent needs include medical care, protection services, shelter, and non-food items,” it added.
It stressed that escalating floods in Mayom County are forcing entire communities to relocate, leaving behind livestock.
UNOCHA noted, “In Mayendit County, nine out of 13 Payams are affected, while in Rotriak, Rubkona County, assessments reveal extensive damage to shelters, infrastructure, and critical services.”
Meanwhile, flooding in Otallo, Akoy, Adong, and Akiela Payams has affected almost 3,500 residents in Pochalla County of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
The humanitarian organization highlighted that non-food goods, emergency medical kits, food, housing, WASH supplies, and protection services are among the critical requirements.
In Upper Nile State, an assessment in Maiwut Centre, Pagak, and Jekow Payams of Maiwut County identified about 24,000 people affected by the floods.
“Their immediate needs are shelter, non-food items, health services, and WASH materials. On September 3, floods in Maban County caused significant damage to homes, crops and breached dykes, leaving roads in the area impassable,” the agency stressed.
According to the UN agency, over the past two weeks, flash floods in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have displaced over 198,000 people across five counties, with more than 50,000 relocated to higher ground.
The UNOCHA’s assessments reported that in Aweil East and Aweil South, severe infrastructure damage has affected 70,000 people, and the situation is expected to worsen with additional rainfall.
In the Abyei Administrative Area, heavy rains have significantly disrupted the main supply route in southern Abyei, obstructing humanitarian access and delaying deliveries.
“Two trucks carrying 5 MT of essential medical supplies from Wau to Abyei Hospital have been stranded for days, further exacerbating the crisis,” it explained.
In addition, floods in Eastern Equatoria State have affected nearly 18,000 people in four Payams in Lafon County; eight medical facilities have sustained damage, and seven more have been forced to close.
“In Central Equatoria State, the Flood Task Force visited Terekeka County on August 30 to assess the flood response. An estimated 8,500 people in six Payams have been displaced, many with little or no household belongings, relying on relatives and friends for shelter. The floods have destroyed 113 acres of farmland, and schools remain closed, affecting the education of numerous children,” it stated.
Climate forecasts indicated that over three million South Sudanese may be impacted by floods between September and December, the typical peak of the country’s rainy season.