By Matik Kueth
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has warned that heavy rains and rising Nile River levels are causing widespread flooding across South Sudan, worsening an already critical humanitarian crisis marked by hunger, conflict, and disease outbreaks.
In a situation update issued on Monday, UNOCHA reported that as of 17 October, floods had affected 927,182 people in 26 counties across six states, with Jonglei and Unity States accounting for more than 91 per cent of the total caseload.
The agency said an estimated 334,579 people have been forced to flee their homes in 16 counties, seeking shelter on higher ground as floodwaters continue to submerge villages, farmland, and key roads.
According to the report, Jonglei remains the worst-hit state with 624,289 people affected, followed by Unity State with 222,656, Upper Nile with 29,374, Central Equatoria with 24,505, Western Equatoria with 15,780, and Warrap with 10,578.
In Northern Bahr el Ghazal, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) said over 60,000 people have also been affected across Aweil East, Aweil North, Aweil South, Aweil West, Aweil Center, and Aweil Town.
UNOCHA noted that floodwaters, which have persisted since July, continue to damage homes, farmlands, and critical infrastructure, disrupting health and education services.
At least 61 schools have been flooded across Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, and Western Equatoria, affecting over 22,000 children and 700 teachers.
In Unity State, flooding has worsened water contamination in Mayendit County and blocked humanitarian access in Panyijiar and Koch, hampering aid delivery.
Although conditions remain difficult, UNOCHA said humanitarian partners are continuing to deliver lifesaving assistance and conducting assessments to scale up the response in the most affected areas.