South Sudan flooding kills 40 – UN report

JUBA – At least 40 people have died across South Sudan as heavy rains and flash floods destroy livestock, farmlands, and homes, according to a UN report released on Wednesday.

According to the report, more than 700,000 people have been displaced by the worst floods to hit South Sudan in decades.

The floods have mainly affected six states.

Some of those who have fled have been displaced numerous times over due to conflict and three years of consecutive flooding.

Scientists have blamed climate change for the flooding in South Sudan and other countries in eastern Africa.

Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR Representative in South Sudan and ad interim UN Resident and UN Humanitarian Coordinator said families and livestock have been forced to seek safety on higher ground and in neighboring towns

“Unrelenting floods from weeks of heavy rains have swept away homes and inundated farmlands. Families and livestock have been forced to seek safety on higher ground and in neighboring towns,” Jamal said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Jamal said rains in South Sudan are expected to continue with an anticipated increase in the number of people needing humanitarian assistance.

“In some areas, communities have not seen flooding to this extent since 1962. Others continue to experience the impact of these adverse weather events, where three years of consecutive flooding has eroded people’s ability to cope and survive,” he said.

On 8th October, the South Sudan government approved $10 million as an emergency relief package to support over 400,000 people affected by floods in seven states across the country.

The packages will deal with the immediate aftermath of flooding.