UN Warns of Severe Flooding Crisis in South Sudan

UN Warns of Severe Flooding Crisis in South Sudan
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The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a grave warning that severe flooding in South Sudan could affect more than a million people, with over 100,000 already displaced, Anadolu Agency reported. The situation is compounding an existing humanitarian crisis in the country.

According to the agency, if the flooding continues, as many as 400,000 people could be displaced by the end of the year, a figure that would surpass the levels seen in 2024. The most impacted areas are the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Unity, where rising waters have submerged homes, schools, and health facilities. The floods have also destroyed farmlands and pastures, devastating livestock and increasing health risks due to contaminated water sources.

In a recent appeal, the UNHCR highlighted a significant funding shortfall, stating that it has only received a third of the nearly $300 million required to provide life-saving aid. This lack of funding is hindering efforts to provide essentials such as cash and emergency shelters to the most vulnerable.

The ongoing flooding is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan, which remains one of Africa’s largest displacement crises with an estimated two million people internally displaced. The country also hosts over 589,000 refugees from neighboring countries. The UNHCR and other UN agencies are urging for international support to prevent further suffering and address the growing crisis.