MSF warns of devastating floods in South Sudan, urges urgent action

JUBA – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, warned of a looming flood crisis in South Sudan that threatens to worsen the already dire humanitarian situation.

The warning comes as South Sudan participates in the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for Sustainable Development in New York.

MSF highlighted South Sudan’s vulnerability to floods, ranking it seventh globally according to a 2023 World Bank Group (WBG) report, “Rising from the Depths.” The country witnessed widespread flooding between 2019 and 2022, impacting millions and destroying vital infrastructure.

“The predicted increase in rainfall in 2024 is very concerning,” stated Joe Aumuller, MSF epidemiologist activity manager. “The number of people at risk in flood-prone areas, threats to water, sanitation and hygiene, and the risk of water and vector borne disease transmission are major concerns, especially in crowded IDP camps.”

Over 5.4 million South Sudanese are projected to be in flood-affected areas in 2024, with heavy rains anticipated from July to October. Recent forecasts indicate above-normal rainfall and potential peak flooding exceeding historical levels.

The influx of over 740,000 refugees from Sudan, coupled with nearly two million internally displaced people (IDPs), further strains the already limited access to healthcare, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Budget cuts and underfunding for the humanitarian response exacerbate the situation.

MSF cited Bentiu as an example, where children in IDP camps face severe malnutrition. Nutritional screenings by the Rubkona County Health Department in June 2024 revealed nearly 19% of children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, with 6% in the severe category. This surpasses the critical threshold for urgent action (GAM exceeding 14.1%).

“Malnourished children are highly susceptible to life-threatening diarrhea,” said Aumuller. MSF reported a surge in such cases among children under five in Bentiu during the 2021-2022 floods, with numbers doubling compared to 2020. Stagnant floodwaters also create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria, a leading cause of illness and death in young children.

MSF anticipates the floods will trigger further displacement, devastate crops and livestock, disrupt aid delivery, and exacerbate disease outbreaks like hepatitis E, already endemic in some areas.

The organization urges political leaders and humanitarian actors to take immediate action. “South Sudan needs support to cope with extreme flooding and the consequences of climate change,” said Ibrahim Muhammad, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan. “We hope the HLPF discussions will lead to concrete action to save lives.”

MSF emphasizes the crucial need for developing flood-resistant water, health, and education systems in South Sudan to bolster its resilience against future disasters.