Heavy rains have left at least 40 households submerged in Mangol-Apuk Payam, forcing residents to flee to higher ground. Local authorities say the situation has become dire, as displaced families continue to endure harsh living conditions without food, shelter, or medical assistance.
Mangol-Apuk Payam Administrator, David Atem, described the situation as catastrophic, warning that many families are now stranded in open areas with no aid in sight. “Many people are suffering, and there is little we can do to help them because our administration is incapacitated by the effects of past conflicts,” Atem said.
He explained that residents from the worst-hit areas, including Majak-Nyuom, Malual-Ador, and Mangol, have been relocated to nearby highlands. However, he added that these makeshift settlements are equally struggling with shortages of food and basic supplies.
“The flood has submerged villages such as Majak-Nyuom and Malual-Ador. The people there are in desperate need of support, but no humanitarian organization has reached them so far. We appeal to NGOs and government agencies to intervene immediately,” Atem pleaded.
The administrator expressed particular concern for children and the elderly, who he said are exposed to the elements and at risk of disease. “The biggest challenge is for children who are sleeping in the open. We urgently need temporary shelters and food because many areas did not harvest well this year,” he added.
Flooding has become a recurring disaster across South Sudan, affecting communities in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states, among others. While the national Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has announced efforts to coordinate relief, local officials in Warrap say little has reached their communities.
With USAID and other donor-funded projects scaled down, Atem urged residents in unaffected areas to share what little they have with displaced relatives and neighbors as they await external support.
“This crisis is beyond our capacity. We can only hope that the government and partners will respond before the situation worsens,” Atem said.
