Jan 05, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in coordination with other humanitarian partners helped in repairing and maintaining dykes in bor which prevented more people from being displaced by floods in Bor, Jonglei State.
Bor was hit by floods in July last year after some parts of the dyke, along an embankment constructed to contain the flow of water, collapsed and the water found its way to the town, sweeping through homes and displacing more than 5,000 people.
Many are describing the situation as the worst flooding in 60 years.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with other humanitarian partners, conducted a detailed technical assessment of the surrounding dike and identified sections of the dike that were susceptible to further damage.
Based on its findings, IOM’s Shelter and Non-Food Items (S-NFI) unit together with the youths from the community who volunteered began repair and maintenance work in the dike.
They used sandbags, wooden posts and bamboo poles to strengthen exposed sections.
Even though flooding had already caused considerable damage to parts of the area, IOM’s swift action saved many others.
“It was evident that if the broken parts of the dike were not repaired, the flood water would wash away many more shelters,” said IOM South Sudan’s S-NFI Coordinator, Asar Muhammad.
Some residents benefitted from the repair as their homes were spared.
“If the dike had not been repaired, I would be narrating a different story,” says Ajah a resident of Bor town.
Ajah recounted how hard it was to repair the dyke saying that people swam in water carrying the repairing materials.
“While we were busy repairing one part of the dike, another part would be breached by water and we would have to rush there. People swam in the water carrying sandbags and poles to bridge the broken parts – It was an uphill battle,” Ajah recalled.
According to Ajah, if the repairs were not done when they were and as quickly as they were, her home would be underwater.
Through concerted efforts between IOM, local authorities and the community stretches of the dike now have been repaired and restoration work will continue until every section has been attended to.
The repair and maintenance of the dike is supported by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
