- hot-spots
- floods
- South Sudan
- Floods in South Sudan
Problems
Floods have worsened over the past years as South Sudan is suffering increasingly from the consequences of climate change. Every year, between 750,000 and more than one million people are affected by floods, forcing half of them to leave their homeland for higher ground. Impact of flooding in South Sudan The consequences of flooding in South Sudan are far-reaching and deeply concerning. Displacement is a primary concern, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes each year. Seeking refuge on higher ground, many end up in overcrowded camps, lacking necessities like food, clean water, and sanitation. The inundation of schools, homes, health facilities, and water sources impacts access to basic services and livelihoods. For example, in November 2021, in Unity State alone, more than 100 schools were impacted by flooding, affecting access to education for over 60,000 students. In addition to the longer-term impacts of the loss of education, the population affected by floods also faces an immediate increased risk of disease. Livelihoods are also severely disrupted. Fertile agricultural land is submerged, destroying crops and livestock, jeopardizing food security for a nation already facing malnutrition. Infrastructure suffers too, with roads, bridges, and essential buildings like schools and health facilities damaged or destroyed, hindering access to vital services. Flooding creates a breeding ground for waterborne diseases like cholera and malaria due to contaminated water sources. Disruption of healthcare services further increases vulnerability to these illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly. The psychological toll of floods is significant as well. The loss of homes, possessions, and livelihoods creates immense stress and trauma for affected communities. The floods affected areas along the Nile and Lol rivers and Sudd marshlands. The floods affect up to half of all counties in South Sudan. Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile States are the most brutal hit, representing three-quarters of the affected people. Conclusion Floods in South Sudan have severely impacted the country's population, economy, and infrastructure. Addressing the issue of floods requires a comprehensive approach that includes early warning systems, infrastructure improvements, flood-resilient housing, flood mapping, and disaster risk reduction. The government of South Sudan, in partnership with international organizations, has taken steps to address the impacts of floods in the country, but more needs to be done to build resilience and reduce the effects of floods on communities.
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Timelines
2024
September 11
Heavy rainfall has been affecting South Sudan since May, causing floods that have resulted in displacements and damage. As of 11 September, UN OCHA reports more than 710,000 people affected by floods across 30 counties in South Sudan and Abyei Administrative Area, with Jonglei, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap States as the most affected. In addition, several houses, infrastructures and crops have been damaged in the area.
2023
December
Since the onset of the rainy season in July, about 89,000 people in 22 localities across nine states have been affected by heavy rains. The most affected state is Northern (34,000 people), followed by River Nile (19,000), North Darfur (13,000), South Darfur (16,000), Gedaref (2,000), White Nile (2,000), North Kordofan (1,000), Red Sea (1,000), and South Kordofan (1,000). Reports indicate that at least 8,227 homes have been destroyed and 7,540 damaged. In 2022, 349,000 people were affected by heavy rains and flooding across 16 of Sudan's 18 states. At least 24,860 homes were destroyed, and 48,250 others were damaged.
October
Heavy rains and flooding occurred across Port Sudan City, Port Sudan locality, and Red Sea State. In 14 neighborhoods, about 190 homes (affecting about 1,000 people) were damaged.
2022
March
Unusually, water did not recede in early 2022 in many regions of South Sudan. Even typically dry months like March saw substantial flooding, which kept some areas inaccessible and prevented the fringes of the wetlands from drying out between flood seasons.
An estimated 1 million people were affected by severe flooding in 36 counties across South Sudan and the southern part of the Abyei Administrative Area. Flood waters block humanitarian access in Unity State, especially in the south, including Bentiu, and into Jonglei State. An estimated 7,380 people are displaced by flooding in areas of Rubkona County.
2021
December
Although annual precipitation usually peaks in August, water levels rise gradually, with floods reaching their maximum extent in October, particularly in South Sudan’s central regions.
2020
More than 600,000 people have been affected by flooding along White Nile areas since July, with Jonglei and Lakes the worst affected states. Heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow their dykes and banks, flooding vast areas and settlements along the White Nile in the center of the country. Most displaced people moved to higher ground near their homes and planned to return once the flood waters receded. In Bor South, over 33,000 people were displaced by conflict and flooding in Twic East and Duk counties to the north. They moved west into Awerial County and are now sheltering in Mingkaman town IDP settlement.
2019
Floods that hit Torit and Lofan in Eastern Equatoria in early November destroyed 440 houses and affected 10,000 households. Humanitarian organizations continued assessing immediate needs in the flood-affected locations across South Sudan. In areas where flood waters remained high, particularly Maban County in Upper Nile and Pibor, Twic East, and Duk counties in Jonglei, people faced challenges accessing essential services.