Flooding Affects 710,000 People in South Sudan, UN Reports

The UN relief agency has reported that ongoing flooding has impacted over 710,000 individuals across 30 of South Sudan’s 78 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area, Xinhua reported yesterday.

Heavy rains that began in May have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation marked by severe food insecurity, economic decline, and disease outbreaks, worsened by the Sudan conflict.

Floods have caused significant damage to homes, crops, and critical infrastructure, disrupting education and health services. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that, at the peak of the rainy season between September and October, up to 3.3 million people could be affected.

A high-level meeting in Juba emphasized the need for coordinated action and clear priorities in response to the disaster. Urgent needs include food, shelter, sanitation materials, and emergency health kits. The Ministry of Water Resources has also urged communities in low-lying areas to relocate as water levels reach a five-year high.