South Sudan president appeals for assistance for flood victims

September 12, 2013 (AGOK) – South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir announced on Thursday that his government has set aside seven million South Sudanese Pounds to help over 223,000 people who have been affected by recent flooding.

As well as pledging the funds, which amounts to roughly $2,000,000, Kiir also appealed for “donations in any kind to alleviate the suffering and devastation”. Many crops have been destroyed and roads left impassable by the rains since they began in June.

“At this moment, affected people need our help to tide over the calamity that has fallen upon them, to survive and to rebuild their lives. I request all the citizens, the business people, humanitarian agencies and the well wishers to stand with our people and actively participate in the national effort to support them at this difficult time. I appeal to all to donate”, he said.

“The country needs responsibility. We have guaranteed this sense of responsibility and today I want to inform you that there has been extensive devastation due to floods in the country. Large number of our people has been forced to leave their homes and have been damaged. The government has responded to forming emergency response taskforce and I instructed this team to visit all these places which have been affected by the flood”, Kiir said.

The president identified his own state of Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei and parts of Eastern Central Equatoria states as those requiring assistance.

“The government is concerned about the suffering imposed on our people by the flood but I am confident and believe that together with your help this crisis will be overcome”, he said.

(ST)

ST – Floods displace thousands of families in Jonglei