Juba, South Sudan,
June 11, 2021 – A devastating flood has left at least 15,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) homeless and with nothing to eat in Ayod County of Jonglei State piling more misery on people who were already struggling to make ends meet.
This comes a month after a similar disaster swept the county and destroyed shelters and sources of livelihood. The majority of the flood victims are reportedly women and children who are now camping at the county headquarters.
Speaking to the media, Nyajima Gatkuoth, one of the displaced persons and a mother of five said she arrived from Weibuol in November last year, adding that they are badly affected and urgently calling on the government to help them with shelters.
“I arrived from the Weibuol area in November last year. We did not get any support since our arrival. We sleep in the open, and now the rains have started so we are appealing for shelters and food,” Gatkuoth said.
According to information extended to Nyamilepedia, Lam Madhak Diu, the Ayod County paramount chief, who is also among the victims explained how dire their humanitarian situation is adding that no one came to their rescue since the flood began hitting the area last year.
“People came from the surrounding villages of Weibol, Wuoi, Beu, Kwacdeng, Wai, Padek, Karmuon, and Canal in their thousands due to the floods in July last year. Here, in Ayod town, there are no food, shelter, mosquito nets, and healthcare services,” Diu said.
He also stressed that access to clean water for drinking remains one of the major issues in the entire town.
Diu further explained that they are depending only on one borehole after the other broke down last night. He appealed to the government to respond to their concerns.
Based on the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) assessment report, more than 400,000 people have been displaced from their homes in parts of the state after last year’s floods destroyed their homes and shelters.
