South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
South Sudan’s food security has been threatened by severe floods expected to ravage most parts of the country between July and October this year, said medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on Thursday.
Muhammad Ibrahim, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan, said severe floods threaten to worsen food insecurity as well as access to safe clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for the already vulnerable people.
“It is very clear South Sudan needs support to cope with extreme flooding and further consequences of climate change, let’s hope that the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development talks will help make this a reality for South Sudan, or the cost on human lives will continue to rise,” Ibrahim said in a statement issued in Juba.
Ibrahim said the expected severe flooding would likely cause further displacement, crop and livestock losses, aid disruptions, and increased disease outbreaks such as hepatitis E.
He called on leaders and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action to protect the people from the devastating effects of floods.
Ibrahim stressed the need to develop flood-resistant water, health, and education systems in South Sudan.
Joe Aumuller, MSF epidemiologist activity manager said over 5.4 million people are expected to be affected by severe floods this year.
“The predicted increase in rainfall in 2024 is very concerning given the number of people at risk in flood-prone areas, threats to water, sanitation and hygiene,” he said.
Aumuller warned of the high risk of water and vector borne disease transmission, particularly in internally displaced people’s camps or transit centers where people are living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to livelihoods.
On 14 July, 2024, cabinet announced it will provide 78 million U.S dollars under its emergency flood preparedness and response plan to mitigate the impact of looming floods on livelihoods and infrastructure across the country.
Uganda, which neighbors South Sudan, is expected to release 2,400 cubic meters of water per second following the rise in the water level of Lake Victoria in Jinja. The water level to be released is equivalent to 800 water tanks per second pouring downstream into South Sudan.
The States expected to be hit hard by the floods in July include Jonglei, Lakes, Unity, Upper Nile and Warrap State that are already experiencing unprecedented floods.
