South Sudan is on the brink of declaring a national disaster as catastrophic floods have displaced nearly 200,000 people and wreaked havoc on essential infrastructure.
During an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday, the Council of Ministers approved the disaster declaration, with the president expected to issue the formal order soon. The flooding, which began in July, has devastated over 772,000 people across 38 counties and the Abyei administrative area, said Deputy Information Minister Dr. Jacob Maiju Korok.
“The floods have impacted both people and animals, with significant damage to schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure in states like Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, Warrap, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, and Abyei,” Korok said.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Albino Akol Atak urged the Cabinet to approve the declaration, which will allow the country to seek additional international aid for relief efforts. Although the government and humanitarian agencies are working to assist affected communities, the flooding is expected to worsen by November, heightening the need for urgent assistance.