Over 700 people displaced by floods from Unity State arrives in Lakes State

RUMBEK – More than 700 people displaced by floods from Panyinjiar County of Unity State have arrived in neighboring Lakes State, a senior government official in Rumbek said.

Adhum Achol Gen, Lakes State Deputy Chairperson for Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), told Sudans Post on Thursday that they have witnessed an influx of displaced persons from Unity State in recent days.

“We received more than 700 IDPs from Unity State to Rumbek North County of Lakes. They came last week and we are in preparation to go and access their situation in that area,” Adhum said.

Adhum said the flood-victims from Panyinjiar have settled in Rumbek North, and are in dire need of food and shelter.

He added that the displaced are mainly women, children, and elderly persons.

“They lack shelter; they lack food and other human basic needs that are required for them to settle in that area.” He said.

“It is now rainy season and they should be provided with non-food items such as shelter and food items.”

He said appealed to humanitarian actors to urgently provide food and non-food items to flood victims.

“My appeal to all humanitarian organizations operating in Lakes State and  across South Sudan is that there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance to those vulnerable communities we received from Unity State.”

Panyinjiar County is located in the southern part of Unity state, bordering Jonglei to the south and Lakes State to the west.

Heavy rainfall over the past weeks has caused damage to infrastructure and houses in the State.

Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes by flood following several months of heavy rainfall.

The majority moved to higher ground, with many sheltering in churches, schools, and public spaces.

Floods have also severely impacted livelihoods and food production, destroying farmland, crops, and livestock.