By Deng Ghai Deng
The United Nations has mobilized a substantial aid package totaling $15 million for response to the escalating flooding crisis in South Sudan.
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $10 million to address the immediate needs of 700,000 individuals affected by severe flooding across five critically impacted counties.
These counties include Aweil East in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Fangak in Jonglei State, Nasir in Upper Nile State, and Mayendit and Rubkona in Unity State.
In addition, the Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, in a statement has released an additional $5 million from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) to complement the CERF allocation, bolstering critical response pipelines and frontline services.
South Sudan is facing unprecedented flooding, with forecasts predicting above-average rainfall, river flows from Uganda, and potentially record-breaking floods.
The joint flood preparedness and response plan, developed by the Government of South Sudan, the UN, and partners, aims to assist 2.4 million people. It identifies 20 high-risk counties across Warrap, Upper Nile, Unity, Jonglei/Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Lakes, Central Equatoria, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states as priority areas for intervention.
Many of these areas are already grappling with the compounded impact of past floods, ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and acute food insecurity, further exacerbated by the ongoing crisis in neighboring Sudan.
As of 12 September, over 735,000 people in 38 of South Sudan’s 78 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area have been affected by flooding.
“Floodwaters are already devastating lives and livelihoods across South Sudan,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms. Gbeho.
“Homes, crops, and critical infrastructure have been destroyed, leaving communities without access to essential services such as health care and education, and people displaced. The swift release of funds is critical to support immediate flood response and replenish depleted core pipeline supplies. We sincerely thank our donors for their unwavering support in helping us alleviate suffering and prevent further loss.”
The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for South Sudan calls for $1.8 billion to assist 6 million people in need across South Sudan. As of 12 September, the appeal is 43.3 percent funded.