Over a million people in South Sudan are facing devastating floods, according to the UN’s humanitarian agency, Ocha. Heavy rains have displaced hundreds of thousands, particularly in the northern regions, forcing many to seek refuge on higher ground.
The situation is dire, with humanitarian aid delivery severely hindered by the flooding, as 15 key supply routes have become impassable. In Pibor, over 112,000 people have lost their homes, with many lacking food and essential supplies.
Joseph Nyao, director of the Relief and Rehabilitation agency in Pibor, described the challenge of reaching those in need, as the waters continue to rise. The government is urging people in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds identified by local authorities.
This year’s flooding is one of the worst the country has seen in decades. In May, South Sudan’s government warned of exceptional floods, and the country’s ability to cope is being strained further by the ongoing civil war in neighboring Sudan, which has driven over half a million refugees and returnees into South Sudan. Ocha expressed concerns over the mounting humanitarian crisis, with resources already stretched thin.