Fresh floods, which started inundating parts of Jonglei State’s Pigi County on 10 August, have left 18,000 people displaced and in need of food and shelter.
A cross-section of the affected people told Radio Tamazuj that their situation is dire and appealed for humanitarian intervention.
Awel Thon, a resident of Mareng, said floods have left them homeless for over three weeks.
“These floods have devastated our village since 10 August, with only a small dyke protecting my household. Life is difficult, with no food, health services, and mosquito nets,” she stated. “Our appeal is for humanitarian intervention because we are really suffering.”
Thon also appealed to aid agencies to provide them with sandbags and generators to help them tackle the rising floodwaters by constructing dykes and pumping out floodwaters.
Another resident, Paul Pur, appealed for aid, saying the situation was only worsening.
“We planted maize in early July, and the floods started before any harvest, so we are facing a dire hunger situation,” he explained. “These floods started in Khorwai in July because the Jonglei Canal and the Sobat River burst their banks. We need aid in the form of chlorine to treat water, food, and health services.”
For his part, Monyngok Abiel Arop, the local Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator, decried the dire humanitarian situation, saying 18,000 people have been displaced within the county while the rest sought shelter in Upper Nile State’s Panyikang County.
“The areas of Khorwai, Khorfulus, and Canal are affected by these floods, with 18,000 people affected,” he stated. “Several residents have also been displaced to Obel and Ashab Elnil near Malakal Town. Their urgent demands include food and shelter.”