The Government of South Sudan is putting in place measures to safeguard the lives and properties of people amidst looming floods, Pal Mai Deng, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation has said.
Speaking on Thursday during a press briefing, Mai said his ministry will engage in early warning actions to prevent the destruction of property, loss of lives and livelihoods during flooding.
“I think what we need to do is that the government has to engage in early warning and early action. It is believed that 100 dollars invested in early warning and early action can save you 10 dollars,” he said.
The minister stressed the need to mobilize resources to respond to the floods expected from October to December this year.
“This is an emergency that calls for action and I agree with those who spoke before me who said that this is time for us to move away from discussions and policy paperwork to real action,” Minister Mai added.
For his part, Joseph Africano Bartel, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, reiterated the government’s preparedness to tackle any emergencies from the impending flood.
“For us to be climate-proof by 2050, South Sudan needs 100 billion U.S. dollars. So, whatever we are talking about here that amount should be there,” he said. “Today, because we have a threat that is coming, we need now to talk of how we are going to prepare ourselves to reduce the impact on our people before losing their livelihoods, even lives and even being displaced.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Ader Macar Aciek, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, said it was time for the government, in collaboration with partners, to take action and secure lives and properties.
“I am calling and appealing to our national and state governments and ministries to come together and prioritize these issues of common interest within constrained resources instead of us addressing them separately,” Dr. Macar urged. “My appeal to the international community and other developmental partners is that you have seen the effect of climate and how it has impacted South Sudan and we are not yet industrialized, so there is a moral responsibility toward those countries.”
The water level in Lake Victoria has increased to 13.66 meters, up from 13.5 meters in 2020, forcing the Ugandan government to release 2,400 cubic meters of water per second downstream to South Sudan.
The unprecedented floods expected from October to December this year will severely affect Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei, and some parts of Lakes and Warrap states, according to officials.