Over 735,000 people affected by floods across South Sudan: UN

September 12, 2024 (JUBA) – More than 735,000 people have been affected by flooding across 38 of South Sudan’s 78 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area, the United Nations said.

Nearly 65,000 people, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, have been displaced, with more than 41,000 in Warrap State alone.

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $10 million to aid 700,000 flood-affected people in five severely impacted counties, with additional $5 million allocated from South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) to complement this effort.

Severe flooding has reportedly affected Aweil East (Northern Bahr el Ghazal State), Fangak (Jonglei State), Nasir (Upper Nile State) as well as Mayendit and Rubkona in Unity State.

As such, it is projected that this CERF funding will enable frontline humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving services in health, shelter, non-food items, and water, sanitation and hygiene support to vulnerable communities already reeling from the devastating effects of flooding.

The Humanitarian Coordinator, Anita Kiki Gbeho said the funds will bolster critical response pipelines and frontline services.

“Floodwaters are already devastating lives and livelihoods across South Sudan,” she said.

The official said homes, crops and critical infrastructure have been destroyed, leaving communities without access to essential services like health care and education for displaced people.

“The swift release of funds is critical to support immediate flood response and replenish depleted core pipeline supplies. We sincerely thank our donors for their unwavering support in helping us alleviate suffering and prevent further loss”, she stressed.

According to the UN, South Sudan faces unprecedented flooding, with forecasts predicting above-average rainfall, river flows from Uganda and potentially record-breaking floods. The joint flood preparedness and response plan, developed by the Government of South Sudan, the UN and partners, aims to assist 2.4 million people.

Many of these areas, OCHA said, are already grappling with the compounded impact of past floods, ongoing conflict, mass displacement and acute food insecurity, further exacerbated by the ongoing crisis in neighbouring Sudan.

Only 43.3 per cent of the $1.8 billion to assist 6 million people across South Sudan has been received.

(ST)