South Sudan: Flooding Situation Flash Update No. 5 (As of 25 September 2024)

HIGHLIGHTS

• As of 25 September, flooding has impacted over 735,000 people across 38 of South Sudan's 78 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area.
• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that 76,230 people have been displaced.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Since May, flooding has affected more than 735,000 people across 38 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area. The floods have destroyed homes, crops and infrastructure, disrupting health and education services and heightening disease risks. IOM reports 76,230 displaced people.

In Jonglei State/Greater Pibor Administrative Area, all Relief and Rehabilitation Commission county offices have reported flood- induced displacements. Joint partner assessments identified 3,546 displaced in Pochalla, 26,700 in Ayod, 55,349 in Twic East, 22,290 in Uror and 9,238 in Paguer, Fangak.

In Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, an inter-agency rapid needs assessment in Aweil East, West, North and South counties found 154,960 people severely impacted by floods, with Aweil East and Aweil South most affected. Essential services have been disrupted, with 29 health facilities, 103 water points and 127 schools damaged. Over 53,100 farmers and cattle keepers lost crops and livestock. Immediate needs include food, shelter, health, nutrition, WASH, education and protection services.

In Unity State, a rapid needs assessment in Koch County identified 36,278 flood-displaced individuals (6,046 households). Heavy rains on 23 September submerged classrooms in 11 schools in Ganyiel. In Mayom, floodwaters from Kaikang have inundated the local market, hampering daily activities.

In Upper Nile State's Panyikang County, assessments have revised the number of people displaced by conflict and flooding in Tonga, increasing the caseload from 3,500 to 5,707 individuals. In Nasir County, 6,000 people displaced by floods and conflict urgently need life-saving assistance. Maiwut County has 8,850 displaced people (1,475 households), requiring urgent WASH, shelter, food, nutrition and protection aid.

In the Abyei Administrative Area, 7,500 people (1,055 households) in nine villages urgently need shelter, health and WASH services following flooding. Torrential rains on 23 September caused the Nyamora and Kiir rivers to overflow, submerging farmlands and settlements and blocking key roads. Physical access remains challenging, particularly in southern Abyei, where partners work with local authorities to verify affected populations and plan responses.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Humanitarian partners are actively responding to the needs of flood-affected communities nationwide.

In Jonglei, partners deliver WASH, health, non-food items and protection services, but gaps persist due to resource limitations. Community-driven dyke reinforcements, supported with sandbags and tools, have been underway since July, but additional resources are urgently needed for dyke rehabilitation and water drainage.

In Northern Bahr el Ghazal, resources have been mobilized for flood-affected people, with Aweil East prioritized. Many displaced individuals, especially those on higher ground, have some access to services, but critical gaps remain in shelter and non-food items. Road conditions, particularly in Aweil East, continue to hinder aid delivery, with sections of the Aweil-Nyibouli road flooded.

In Unity, the UN and its partners are reinforcing dykes in Bentiu and Rubkona, and a partner is constructing a 1 km barrier to protect the Rubkona market.

In Upper Nile, life-saving assistance has been delivered to Tonga, and 49 MT of supplies have been mobilized for Nasir. In Maiwut, aid is being prepared in Malakal and will be airlifted with Logistics Cluster support. The UN and state technical teams are actively mitigating floods in Malakal through dyke construction and drainage efforts.