The United Nations humanitarian agency has reported that over 700,000 people in South Sudan have been affected by flooding, and the number is increasing daily.
“Floods have caused extensive damage to homes, crops and critical infrastructure, disrupting education and health services and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks,” said UN humanitarian agency OCHA in a situation report on Thursday.
As of September 5, 2024, the agency reported that the “flooding has affected more than 710,000 people across 30 of 78 counties”.
Ever since it gained independence in 2011, South Sudan has been pillaged by instability and violence despite its abundant oil reserves.
The country is experiencing the worst flooding in years, and according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) of the UN Secretariat, many displaced persons are not receiving assistance.
“Access remains a critical obstacle, as many roads are now impassable, and floodwaters have cut off entire communities,” it said.
Plagued by conflicting leaders and chronic instability, at least 400,000 people lost their lives and millions were forced to flee their homes during a civil war that took place from 2013 to 2018.
In 2018, President Salva Kiir and his opponent, Riek Machar, signed a peace agreement and established a coalition government.
Since then, the country has been struggling with natural disasters, famine, violence, and political disputes, which led to the suspension of promised elections.