EU gives South Sudan flood victims €2 million in emergency aid

JUBA – The European Union Commission has allocated at least EURO2 million for people affected by floods in 31 of South Sudan’s 78 counties. The floods have displaced more than 750,000 thousand people and killed around 40 people across the country.

“Severe flooding in several areas of South Sudan has exacerbated an already fragile humanitarian situation. Prior to the flooding, around 70% of South Sudan’s population was already in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Thousands of people live in famine-like conditions, and under-nutrition is at critical levels,” EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said.

“The emergency funding will be used to respond to the immediate needs of those affected. The floods in South Sudan are a timely reminder for urgent action on climate change, in view also of the COP26 conference: The effects of climate change are real, and they are here – and vulnerable populations suffer the repercussions,” he added.

The emergency humanitarian funding will be channeled through the EU’s humanitarian partner, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and will be used to provide vulnerable populations with life-saving water and sanitation (WASH), shelter and other essential non-food items, the EU said in a statement.

On 21 October 2021, the UN called on the international community to urgently assist South Sudanese affected by floods, stating that more than 750,000 people have been affected by the worst floods to hit the country in decades. Heavy rains and flash floods have led to loss of life and the destruction of livestock, farmlands and homes, forcing flood-affected people to move to higher grounds.

To date, not all affected have yet received some form of humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the flooding. Authorities in northern Unity State have warned about a looming environmental disaster in view of the oilfields that are under water.