By Peter Kuol Kuch
Authorities in Pangak County, Jonglei State, have expressed serious concerns over poor learning environment and acute food insecurity in the area.
According to the Commissioner, four years of continuous flooding have caused significant destruction to educational facilities and farmland across the county.
“Pangak County has been experiencing severe flooding for almost five years, leading to extreme food insecurity and the breakdown of learning facilities, which has generally destroyed the livelihoods of the people,” said Commissioner Biel Butrus Biel during the Commissioner’s Forum in Bor.
Commissioner Biel highlighted that many school-aged children are currently attending classes beneath trees due to a lack of adequate educational facilities.
He is worried that the current state of education in the county will result in poor learning outcomes for the children in Pangak.
“Most of the learning facilities in Pangak have been destroyed by flooding over the last four years, as well as during the war. We are trying to provide quality education, but it is challenging due to the lack of learning materials. Now, children are learning under trees, which is unacceptable in the 21st century,” he stated.
In a related matter, Commissioner Biel noted that the ongoing flooding has exacerbated food insecurity in the county. He admitted that many residents are relying on wild fruits and water lilies for sustenance.
“People have been depending on relief food provided by the World Food Programme (WFP), but this aid has been quite limited. This year, no food aid has been supplied by WFP. As of now, people are relying on water lilies, which are becoming increasingly scarce,” he explained.
He called on the Jonglei State government and its partners to find a permanent solution to the annual flooding that threatens the residents.
“We fear that this year, floodwaters may inundate Old Pangak, including the county headquarters, as they did in 2021. As we are currently in the dry season, the water levels are slightly declining, and I appeal to the Jonglei State government to collaborate with the national government in considering the needs of hard-to-reach areas,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, there are seven secondary schools and more than 14 primary schools operating in Pangak County, Northern Jonglei State.
Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw and restrict most American funding on a global scale. This decision has already negatively impacted many humanitarian partners in South Sudan.