Floods displace over 53,000 people in Payinjiar county
November 18, 2014 (KAMPALA) – Heavy flooding in South Sudan’s Unity state has displaced some 53,945 people in Payinjiar county, according to officials.
“First and foremost, allow me to express my deep concerns about
[the] lives of people who need urgent attention from aid agencies,” he said.
Gatluok described the current situation as dire, urging humanitarian partners to speed up rescue efforts for flood victims, saying early intervention was necessary to stem the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly among children.
“I am calling on all NGOs who are our partners speed up their effort,” he said.
“Right now a worrisome condition on children is becoming worse every day due to no access of good health facilities. I urge all aid agencies to conduct an emergency assessment on the areas which were taken by floods,” he added.
Payinjiar county was hard-hit by heavy rain in September, with flood waters continuing to rise throughout October and November.
The worst-affected areas include Pachienjok, Pachar, Thoanum, Pachak, Tiap, Ganyliel, Chuk, Mayom, Kol and Nyal.
Payinjiar county is located in a remote area of Unity state. Basic infrastructure and other basic facilities remain extremely limited and there has been little improvement since the signing of a 2005 peace agreement with neighbouring Sudan that paved the way for Southern independence.
The low-lying area has experienced heavy flooding for the past five years, with the government criticised for not taking action to address the issue.
Unity state has been the scene of fierce fighting since conflict engulfed the young nation in mid-December last year.
The United Nations said the ongoing violence has severely disrupted agricultural activities, leading to a sharp rise in food insecurity.
The conflict have displaced more than 1.8 million people, with hundreds of thousands fleeing to neighbouring countries and over 100,000 now sheltering in various UN camps inside South Sudan.
(ST)