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29 August 2024 (Juba) – The United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA) said that as of August 29, floods have affected 472,000 people in 26 of South Sudan’s 78 counties.
The worst-affected states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile and Central Equatoria are grappling with complex challenges such as previous flooding, ongoing conflict, displacement, food shortages and the wider impact of the Sudan crisis on the region.
Concerns are already rising that 3.3 million people could be affected during the peak rainy season expected in September-October. The report says this includes communities recovering from devastating floods in 2019-2022.
The projected flooding is likely to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, particularly in remote communities where humanitarian assistance is difficult to access.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the floods destroyed homes and crops, disrupted education and health services, limited access to basic facilities and increased the risk of disease outbreaks.
Due to the impact of the floods, displaced people sought shelter from relatives in public facilities such as schools and churches or took shelter on the roadside.
The report further indicated that since the onset of the rainy season in June, there has been an increase in malaria cases, respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea and snake bites.
In addition, people affected by the floods were reportedly unable to care for their land and livestock, further increasing their vulnerability.
Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation urgently called on communities in low-lying areas along the Nile River to relocate as water levels at the Mangara telemeter station in Juba County reached a five-year high of 14.85 meters. OCHA said stations in Juba, Bor and eight other locations also reported the highest water levels, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
(English stone)
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