Floods have hit Pochalla South County in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), leaving residents homeless and farms destroyed in the flood-prone area along the border with Ethiopia.
The overflow of the Akobo River, whose source is deep in the Ethiopian highlands, often breaks its banks and floods Pochalla and other low-lying areas near the border. This year’s flood started last week.
Several affected residents decried their living conditions and appealed for aid. Margaret Akule Nyigwo said her home is submerged.
“We were among the first to be affected by the floods because we live in Bat-Agela along the river,” she stated. “Many people are displaced to a school. However, I remain in my house in floodwaters because the school is remote and I fear for my children’s security.”
She added, “Our livelihoods have also been destroyed with maize crops now standing in water before the harvest. We have never experienced floods with this severity before, so we appeal for intervention.”
Another resident, Bereb John Nyigwo, said the situation is dire and could only worsen if no support is provided.
“Crops are destroyed in our farms. Let alone the issue of food, where to sleep is a problem. Mobility is also a problem; people cannot walk to work,” she stated. “Rains are still coming, meaning more devastation will unfortunately unfold on us.”
For his part, Pochalla South County Commissioner Othow Okoti decried the dire situation and reiterated calls for intervention.
“About 8,530 individuals are affected by these floods, which started last week. The majority of those affected are in school and church buildings, while the rest are integrated into homes of their relatives in a better state,” he stated. “The county headquarters of Pochalla Town, Batagela, Achari, Tierlul, Okadi, Obuoodhi, Ajiengori, Lokrii, Aperngom, Buong Ojangbayo, Lang, Obuodi, Adongol, and Dho-Olam, among other areas, are affected.”
According to Commissioner Okoti, 963 farms with each measuring one feddan or less are submerged in floodwaters.
“So, apart from displacement and homelessness, severe food shortage and health crisis will affect us, and we appeal to aid agencies to assess the situation and come to our aid,” he added.