Over 9,000 Affected as Floods Hit Greater Pibor

By Simon Deng

More than 9,000 people have been displaced across the Greater Pibor Administrative Area due to devastating floods caused by heavy rainfall.

These floods have destroyed homes and farmland, leaving communities in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Authorities are working to assess the damage and provide relief to affected families.

David Ngiro Yangkon, the chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Greater Pibor, has confirmed that over 9,000 individuals have been displaced throughout the region.

Yangkon noted that the areas most affected by flash flooding include Gumuruk, Lekuangole, Pibor, Pochala North, Pochala South, and Verteth counties within the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

He announced that the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission has officially declared a state of natural disaster due to the catastrophic flooding affecting the entire Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Pibor, Yangkon explained that the floods surged as a result of heavy rainfall, leading to the destruction of homes and agricultural land across the region.

“The flood impact assessment report indicates that the entirety of Pibor and Pochalla is submerged. The total displaced population stands at 9,000, with Lekuangole and Verteth counties accounting for 5,719 people. Approximately 19,000 individuals are affected by the devastating floods,” Yangkon stated.

Vast areas of agricultural land have been inundated, destroying crops and food reserves. Key roads, bridges, schools, and health facilities have become inaccessible or severely damaged, cutting off entire communities from vital services and supply routes, he added.

Yangkon urged the GPAA RRC and the government to formally call upon all national and international stakeholders to launch a rapid emergency response to provide life-saving assistance to the affected population.

“The declaration is based on ground assessments and official reports from all counties within GPAA. The situation has resulted in the displacement of thousands of individuals and families,” he said.

“The affected population is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with urgent needs for emergency shelter, food, clean water, and medical care. The risk of waterborne diseases is alarmingly high,” Yangkon warned.