Authorities in Longechuk County, Upper Nile State, are urgently appealing for assistance from both the State and National governments after devastating floods displaced hundreds of residents following heavy rainfall on Monday, September 30th.
The downpour caused widespread flooding, submerging key infrastructure, including the County Headquarters and the County Hospital, underwater.
More than 200,000 people across all params of Longechuk County have been affected, leaving many without access to necessities and vulnerable to diseases and hunger if immediate aid is not provided.
Hon. Dak Tut Dei, the Commissioner of Longechuk County, reported that the affected population includes 8,742 returnees from North Sudan and Ethiopia, 2,000 Ethiopian refugees, and 5,640 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Koma, South Sudan, who are currently residing in Dajo Payam.
“The areas hardest hit by the floods include Mathiang, Jangok, Belwang, Guelguk, Malow-Wetber, Malual, Pamach, Gueng, Warweng, Pakur, Chotbora, Dajo, Jak, Jongjith, Pachimbi, and Udier,” said Hon. Tut.
In response to the crisis, a county-level task force has been formed to assess the extent of the damage. “This morning, the Longechuk County Flood Taskforce Committee conducted a preliminary assessment of the affected communities, receiving reports from Payam administrators,” the commissioner stated. The assessment revealed widespread destruction of livelihoods and properties across the county.
The flooding has also caused significant harm to livestock, as floodwaters have submerged grazing lands, leaving animals to starve and succumb to diseases. Additionally, there has been a surge in snake bites across the county, further endangering the local population. Schools have been forced to close due to the high water levels, interrupting education for many children.
The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of equipment and machinery to construct dykes or implement flood-control measures. As a result, traditional coping mechanisms have been overwhelmed, leaving the residents of Longechuk County in a precarious humanitarian situation.
“I call upon the State and National governments, NGOs, humanitarian partners, and well-wishers to intervene and provide urgent support to the communities of Longechuk County. Without immediate aid, the risk of widespread disease, hunger, and further displacement is imminent,” Hon. Tut appealed.
The flood has left the county in dire need of food, medical supplies, shelter, and equipment to manage the ongoing crisis. Local authorities fear that without swift intervention, the situation could deteriorate further, causing even more suffering for the already vulnerable population.
