Devastating floods displace over 5000 in Jonglei

By Kitab Unango
Devastating floods and heavy rains have submerged three villages and displaced over five thousand households in Twic East County of Jonglei State according to local authorities.
Nyuop Peter, Chief Administrator of Pakeer Payam said families displaced were camping at a nearby highland with no food, shelter, and medicines.
Nyuop said the flood surpassed last year’s, with the entire villages of Pakeer, Ajuong, and Nyak submerged in water, destroying crops, properties, and animals.
“Though there was flood throughout 2019, it was not heavy like we have now. This one has overpowered residents, forcing them to leave their houses for highland. They have no food, no shelter, and medicines,” Nyuop said.
Most parts of South Sudan since last year had been experiencing heavy flooding due to heavy rainfalls that destroyed communities’ livelihoods, worsening the country’s food insecurity situation.
Speaking on phone to City Review on Tuesday, Nyuop appealed to the government and humanitarian agencies for urgent food and non-food items to the affected families.
“People are suffering here. Some have malaria and typhoid. All properties have been taken by water. So, government and organizations should do what they can to help the people as soon as possible,” said Nyuop.
Atem Maketh, Executive Chief of Pakeer Payam said the high ground would be soon submerged in water if it continues to rain, calling on the government to provide excavator for draining the water.
“We cannot stop the flood from reaching where we are now, it keeps coming every day. And it rains always. if it continues, all of us will be submerged in water. Let the government bring the excavator and make a drainage system if not, nothing can stop this flood and it will keep on displacing and destroying our livelihoods,” Maketh said.
The flood added just another layer to the displacement of people in Twic East Country caused by protracted cattle raiding and revenge attacks that have claimed hundreds of lives in the areas.
Head Chief, Aweng Deng said they had nothing to eat because their cattle, their source of livelihoods, were raided by and the flood just worsened the situation.
“We have not eaten since Friday last week (April 17th). We used to survive on cattle but Murle people have looted them and water took some. We have nothing, children are crying and we have nothing to do,” said Deng.