Nyirol County faces medical shortage as floods cut off roads network

BOR — Several communities in Nyirol County of Jonglei State in South Sudan have been isolated from medical supplies and other essential goods due to severe flooding that has damaged the road networks.

Rising water levels have flooded roads, rendering it nearly impossible to transport essential medicines and equipment to healthcare facilities in the area.

James Bol Makuei, the commissioner of Nyirol County, told Sudans Post on Friday about a significant increase in waterborne diseases, including diarrhea and malaria.

This rise is worsened by inadequate sanitation and restricted access to clean water, according to Makuei.

“This is a bigger part of the population of Nyirol County, where it is very difficult for them to reach Lankien; they are really suffering due to snake bites and waterborne diseases due to these heavy rains,” said Makuei.

He urged the national government and partners to urgently explore ways to provide medical supplies to help the local population in the area.

Makuei said the road network has been paralyzed, making it impossible for people and vehicles to enter Nyirol County.

He said the most affected areas include Pading, Pulturuk, and Nyaboor.

He stated that malnutrition rates are also climbing, particularly among children and the elderly.

He said floods have also led to a dramatic increase in snake bites amid a drug shortage.

According to Makuei, floods destroyed crops in the county, raising fears of looming hunger.

“UNICEF always supplies medicine quarterly, but due to the heavy rains that have damaged the roads across Nyirol County,” he said.

Nyirol has been experiencing floods since June, leaving behind a trail of destruction and thousands of people homeless.

However, the scale of the flooding and the remoteness of many communities are posing significant logistical challenges in Jonglei State.

The health crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of existing vulnerabilities in Nyirol County, which has already been struggling with the effects of conflict and poverty.

The floods have further strained already limited resources and infrastructure, pushing the local population to the brink.