South Sudan: Flooding Situation Flash Update No. 4 (As of 18 September 2024)

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • As of 18 September, flooding has affected over 735,000 people across 38 of South Sudan’s 78 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area.
  • According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 76,230 people have been displaced, most reported in Renk, Upper Nile State.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

As of 18 September, flooding has affected over 735,000 people across 38 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area. Since May, floods have damaged homes, crops and infrastructure, disrupting education and health services and raising disease risks. IOM reported 76,230 people displaced, with most in Renk, Upper Nile State.

In Central Equatoria State, the flood task force met on 18 September. The Government and humanitarian partners agreed to prioritize the accessibility of information and accountability for the resources dedicated to the flood response. The UN and its partners will provide fishing kits and seeds to support the flood-displaced communities.

In Jonglei State/Greater Pibor Administrative Area, all Relief and Rehabilitation Commission county offices have reported displacements due to floods. Joint assessments by partners indicated 3,546 flood-displaced people in Pochalla, 15,360 in Ayod, 22,290 in Uror and 7,270 in Fangak.

In Unity State, 65 schools have been submerged due to flooding, affecting 20,214 students – 8,976 girls and 11,238 boys. This includes 18 schools in Panyijar, 12 in Koch, 14 in Leer, 6 in Guit, 4 in Rubkona (Rotriak) and 11 in Mayendit.

In Upper Nile State, a flood task force mission visited Tonga town, where 3,600 displaced people have arrived from New Fangak, Jonglei State, since mid-August. Following a rapid needs assessment by clusters and partners, a response was initiated on 9 September, reaching over 5,000 flood-affected people. A similar rapid needs assessment in Nasir County on 30 August identified 6,000 displaced people (1,000 households) across three payams.

In Western Equatoria State, heavy rainfall triggered flooding on 31 August, affecting 1,530 individuals (510 households) across 19 residential areas in Mundri town, destroying homes and disrupting learning. A fact-finding mission on 2 September found all water points flooded and contaminated. Partners have yet to assess the flood-affected people. In Nzara County, rain and river overflow on 9 September resulted in flash floods. Four villages were submerged in floodwaters. Some 1,105 people (221 households) are displaced to Nzara town and need humanitarian assistance. Partners in Yambio completed their assessment and plan to respond.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Humanitarian partners continue to respond to the immediate needs of flood-affected people nationwide.

The Peacebuilding Fund and its partners are conducting community awareness campaigns on peace and flood preparedness in Upper Nile and Jonglei to promote social cohesion and mitigate flood-induced tensions and conflicts. In Upper Nile, peacebuilding and flood awareness messages have been integrated into fish preservation training, targeting Melut, Gelachol, Kuel, and Warjwok communities that may host flood-displaced people. In Jonglei, partners continue to monitor water levels and engage with flood-affected communities in Bor.

In Jonglei, an NGO provided emergency shelter and non-food items to 13,200 individuals in Fangak. The South Sudan Red Cross registered 900 displaced households near Old Fangak, with WASH distributions set to begin on 19 September. Ten tents were also delivered for mobile health clinics. In Unity, partners distributed WASH and shelter/non- food items to over 5,000 households. Antimalarial drugs were also delivered to all counties apart from Panyijar due to the flooded airstrip. Air transport support through the Logistics Cluster has been requested to deliver antimalarial drugs and kits rapidly.

In Upper Nile, the state inter-cluster coordination group is moving critical life-saving aid to the affected locations to respond. The State Government supported the partners with a barge to carry critical

supplies. The clusters aim to assist the 6,000 affected people by 25 September. The clusters are planning a similar response for the flood-affected people in Maiwut County.