Over 900,000 people affected by floods in 29 counties
The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said on Tuesday that more than 900,000 people have been impacted by floods in 29 counties across South Sudan and in the southern part of the Abyei Administrative Area.
It noted that the worst affected people are in the states of Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap, Unity, and Western Equatoria.
“Reportedly, the floods destroyed livestock and crops; washed away roads and bridges; destroyed homes, schools and health facilities; and submerged boreholes and latrines thereby contaminating water sources and risking outbreaks of waterborne diseases,” said UNOCHA in its latest statement issued in Juba.
It noted that increasing water levels were reported in Rubkona and Bentiu towns of Unity state, putting pressure on existing dykes.
UNOCHA disclosed that the water levels have now reached the highest levels experienced in 2021.
Adding that efforts are ongoing to repair the areas needed, and to monitor any vulnerable areas ahead of further breaches.
“During the early hours of 9 October 2022, two areas of the dykes breached, and required immediate support to prevent water flooding the humanitarian hub, the internally displaced people’s sites, and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base,” it said.
UNOCHA added that teams are mobilizing sandbags, soil, and canoes to facilitate fixing dyke leakages.
“In Western Bahr el Ghazal, the collapse of a key bridge between Wau-Raja counties due to heavy rains is hampering the response of some 50,000 people, including 30,000 returnees mainly from Sudan, living in Raja County,” it said.
The situation in Western Bahr El Ghazal state has made it impossible for humanitarians to provide medical and nutrition supplies to the affected population in Raja County.
It disclosed that partners are responding to the affected people with limited resources available, often prioritizing resources.
However, it noted that response activities continue to be hampered by funding shortfalls, insecurity, and physical access constraints.
