South Sudan devastating floods displaced over 426,000 people – UN agency

JUBA – Heavy flooding has affected over 426,000 people in South Sudan, with overflowing rivers submerging homes and displacing families across the country, according to the report of the UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA.

Nearly three-quarters of those affected are in Jonglei and Unity states, followed by Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile states.

Insecurity in Warrap State has made it difficult to respond to displaced victims, according to OCHA.

“According to initial assessments, priority needs include food assistance, emergency shelter and non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene services and hygiene kits, health and nutrition supplies and services, protection services and dignity kits, and fishing kits for livelihood support,”  said the UN report released last week.

“Floods have exacerbated the vulnerability of communities, with many people displaced by the floods seeking refuge in churches and schools. Health facilities have been heavily impacted,” it added.

It said heavy rains damage infrastructure and reduce physical accessibility resulting in funding constraints.

It added that insecurity has hampered the flood response.

“Flood mitigation measures helped to reduce the impact of flooding in areas like Bor town and Pibor. Canoes and boats have been critical for mobile teams to reach people who remained isolated by floods,” it said.

More heavy rains and flooding are expected in the coming months, according to the UN report.

Over 160,000 have been displaced in Jonglei, followed by Unity with 146,000, Northern Bahr el Ghazal with 47,000 people, Upper Nile with 44,000, Warrap with 25,000 people, and 600 displaced Western Equatoria.