June 23 , 2021 — The Ayod Flood Response Initiative, a recently established youth-led initiative to provide humanitarian assistance in Ayod county, appeals to aid agencies and donors to provide the most needed assistance to over 65,000 people who are stranded in flood in Ayod county.
According to the chairman of the initiative, Mr. Emmanuel Gawaar Paul, the Ayod Flood Response Initiative (AFRI) met on June 10 and also on June 20th, 2021 at Nyakuron Cultural center in the capital to brief Gawaar community leaders and intellectuals on a a fundraising that was held on May 2, 2021 in Juba.
Many elders from Gawaar community believe that this is the worst flood in 59 years and now populations are being evacuated from the west bank of Canal river to Duk areas that are relatively dry.
 “In Ayod County there is massive evacuation from the villages located in the western bank of river Canal. The areas where the resident evacuated to includes: Chuilbong, Panyang, Gar, Mogok Center, Thuop, Wai, Nyawaath, Paguong, Biey, Guong, Kodalok, Canal, Nyaruaibol, Pajiek center, Tuok.” Gawaar Paul said.
Based on an estimated budget, the youth-led initiative appeals for up to 2 million US Dollar to intervene in the evacuation and help provide basic services to the people.
“Ayod Flood Response Initiative is appealing for $2 Million in order to provide emergency assistance over the next six months to some 65,112 people affected by the flood from 2019 until date.” Read part of the AFRI report.
“The priorities areas are for assistance includes food aid, tents, blankets, plastic sheets, and health care services and repairs to the basic infrastructure, such as schools and health centers.” the report continued.
The South Sudan Government has recently declared a State of Emergency on flood affected areas and calls for up to $50 million humanitarians assistance to rescue the affected citizens.Â
“Ayod County was amongst affected counties in Jonglei State. South Sudan Government estimates that up to $50 Million will be required over time to address the worsening flood situation in the whole country” AFRI report reiterates.
“This would be in addition to the response of the Ayod Flood Response Initiative (AFRI), Catholic Relief Service (CRS), Christian Mission for Development (CMD), Intersos, Care International, MIDAIR, African Leadership Skills Initiative (ALSI), Africa Development Aid (ADA), Universal Network for Child Defense Rights (UNCDR), Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), Peace in Action Social Service, (PASS), Episcopal Development Aid (EDA) other non Government Organizations also providing assistance, particularly in emergency aid.” The youth-led initiative report continued.
More than 75% of the landmass in Ayod and other counties, especially in Jonglei and Unity states, are submerged under water since July 2020 and attempts to fence off the floods using dikes and other local means have failed.
