Oxfam deeply concerned as seasonal flooding affects nearly 1 million people in South Sudan
Heavy floods submerged villages in one of the areas, Nassir (File/Supplied/SSNN)
Oct 27th, 2019 (SSNN)-Oxfam International is deeply concerned about the growing humanitarian situation aggravated by the seasonal flooding, which has since affected about 800,000 people, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases and hunger.
“Unusually heavy rainfall has hit 29 counties across the country, causing widespread displacement. Areas where Oxfam operates, including Akobo, Pibor and Lankien, have been severely hit. Houses have been destroyed and many areas are submerged and inaccessible. People have lost their crops and livestock and many schools and health clinics have been closed, as they are either flooded or have been converted into relief shelters.”
In a statement seen by SSNN, Oxfam International warned that heavy rains are expected in the next few weeks, and that the humanitarian situation could worsen and potentially cause unimaginable suffering to the country’s population.
“With heavy rains forecast for at least another two weeks, the situation is likely to get much worse before it gets better and the risk of a major outbreak of waterborne diseases including cholera increases by the day.”
Sajit Menon, Oxfam humanitarian manager in South Sudan, said: “The scale of these floods is unexpected; at this time of the year in South Sudan the dry season is usually about to start. The cruel fact is that thousands of people in the areas hardest hit by the floods were already going hungry. People who were struggling to survive have had what little they had washed away by this extreme weather.”
The ongoing flooding is no different from hunger, Oxfam further said, noting that the affected communities are in dire need of life-saving humanitarian assistance to help alleviate their suffering.
“People managed to reach safety on high ground but are left with no food and no clean water or sanitation. Disease is as much of a threat as hunger. They also need basic shelter, as their homes have been damaged or completely destroyed. We have witnessed pregnant women carrying their belongings and their older children in their arms, while wading through knee deep mud, with nowhere to go.”
The organization said it plans to conduct risk assessments in flood-affected areas before it starts issuing non-food items (NFIs) as the first safety approach, to prevent the risks of water-borne diseases.
River flooding submerges houses in Nassir (File/Supplied/SSNN)
“Oxfam is assessing the needs of those worst hit by the floods. In the coming days, together with other agencies, it will start distributing temporary sheeting, soap, buckets and other hygiene items, to over 45,000 people in Lankien, Akobo and Pibor. Oxfam needs $5 million to help the people worst affected.”
Adding that: “The flooding is impeding the humanitarian effort. In a country with only 200km of paved roads delivering aid is always a challenge – but the floods mean we need extra resources to reach those in need. And we must do it fast before it is too late – thousands of lives are at risk. ”
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