UN Troops Aid Bentiu Against Floods
- UN troops are reinforcing flood defenses in Bentiu, South Sudan.
- Record rains are expected, putting thousands of displaced people at risk.
- Collaboration between UN troops and locals is crucial to mitigate the threat.
In Bentiu, South Sudan, UN troops are actively reinforcing flood defenses in a town that is increasingly at risk due to rising water levels from a nearby lake. The settlement, which lies below the water level, narrowly avoided disaster last year when floodwaters came within 30 centimeters of breaching its defenses after 55 centimeters of rain fell during the wet season. Efforts are underway to enhance the dykes to withstand up to 1,100 millimeters of rainfall, but concerns grow as water levels in the Lake Victoria basin, the source of the flooding, reach record highs. The situation is particularly dire for Bentiu’s refugee camp, the largest in South Sudan, which has become a refuge for nearly 150,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) fleeing both conflict and flooding. The region's agricultural sector has been devastated, further exacerbating food insecurity. Experts warn that the upcoming wet season could bring the worst flooding in 120 years, potentially doubling the severity of the catastrophic floods experienced in 2021. UNMISS engineers have made significant progress, repairing 60 of the 77 miles of flood defenses surrounding Bentiu and its refugee camp. However, the risk of isolation looms large, as the town's only access road becomes impassable during heavy rains, necessitating up to 20 flights daily to maintain supply lines. Relocation of IDPs to higher ground is being considered as a contingency plan to mitigate the impending crisis. The events of October 2022 serve as a stark reminder of the potential for disaster, as the refugee camp came perilously close to inundation. The community remains on high alert as preparations continue for the upcoming wet season.