South Sudan flooding leaves at least 20 dead
South Sudanese refugees try to repair their hut in flooded waters at a refugee camp in al-Qanaa in southern Sudan, on September 14, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Last year, torrential rains and flash floods displaced thousands of people and destroyed several homes across South Sudan. The most affected areas were in Jonglei, Pibor, Upper Nile, Unity, Western, and Eastern Equatoria states.
At least twenty people have died in South Sudan’s Warrap State as a result of continuous devastating floods, a senior State official has confirmed.
In a mobile phone interview with Nation.Africa on Friday, Victor Wek Gogrial West County Commissioner said those killed were mainly children and women.
“These deaths were recorded since the rains started in July. And the biggest cause of those deaths is drowning. As you all know Gogrial is swampy and it's always worsen by rains.
“As speak to you now, at least 17,500 people have been displaced, according to the assessment carried out by State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission” Wek narrated.
“What is needed urgently now are sheltering materials to aid flood victims immediately, then food and non-food items would play a greater role in helping those that might starve and they are the majority” Wek stressed.
Last month, the United Nations Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said at least 380,000 people from six states in South Sudan were displaced by flash floods and numerous waves of inter-communal clashes.
Last year, torrential rains and flash floods displaced thousands of people and destroyed several homes across South Sudan. The most affected areas were in Jonglei, Pibor, Upper Nile, Unity, Western, and Eastern Equatoria states.
According to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) Climate Prediction, heavy rainfall is expected to continue in northern and central parts of South Sudan until mid of September.
