Flooding devastates South Sudan every year and forces thousands to live in peril

In South Sudan, heavy flooding has devastated numerous communities, forcing families to abandon their homes. The flooding has reached unprecedented levels, particularly affecting the Jonglei state and its communities, who rely heavily on farming and livestock. For the first time in decades, villagers are struggling to cope with severe waterlogging, which has turned their old village of Gorwai into a swamp. Many seek refuge in makeshift settlements along the century-old Jonglei Canal, which, despite being incomplete, provides some level of shelter from incessant waters. The United Nations humanitarian agency reports that over 379,000 individuals have been displaced due to severe flooding this year alone. Communities, including the Dinka, Nuer, and Murle groups, have been particularly hard hit, losing their farms and livestock, which are integral to their livelihoods. Chronic flooding has transformed normal seasonal challenges into a year-round disaster, exacerbating already dire conditions. Aid efforts have emerged, with thousands registered for food assistance through the World Food Program. However, there are severe shortages, with many families receiving only half of the needed food aid due to declining international support. Non-governmental organizations are struggling to meet the heightened demand for medical services as well. The community in Pajiek currently lacks schools and clinics, forcing individuals to walk long distances to secure basic care, life essentials, and food supplies. South Sudan’s economic and humanitarian crises have worsened, compounded by the ongoing civil conflict that has crippled oil exports and led to infrastructure collapses due to the war in Sudan. Given these hardships, there is significant uncertainty about the future, leading experts to declare South Sudan the most vulnerable country to climate change, lacking coping mechanisms to deal with such overwhelming crises. Families have voiced despair as they face unprecedented suffering and displacement, highlighting the urgent need for support and sustainable solutions.