The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says they urgently need $61 million to save lives and ensure continuity of humanitarian support.
In a statement, UNOCHA said, the UN and non-governmental organizations are already using funds meant for the dry season in early 2020 to respond to the humanitarian needs of floods victims. Floods have devastated about a third of South Sudan’s counties.
“Some US$ 61.5 million is urgently required to save lives, ensure the continuity of the response following the peak period and protect humanitarian gains made in 2019 from being lost. Further investments are needed in disaster risk reduction to avoid humanitarian needs in flood-prone areas in the future,” the statement reads.
After a visit to flood-stricken Pibor in South Sudan’s Jonglei state the Humanitarian Coordinator Alain Noudéhou donated $10 million for the worst-hit areas.
“Many donors have been generous and I call on others to join. I am releasing $10 million from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund for immediate assistance in the worst-hit areas," he added
He continued, "The Emergency Relief Coordinator and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, has indicated that he will accept proposals for up to $15 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund. This will allow us to assist over 600,000 people with emergency shelter, food, health services, and clean water, as well as other life-saving support,” he said.
Speaking on the situation in Pibor, Noudéhou, said, “There is a real emergency unfolding in Pibor and many other areas. Clinics, schools, churches and police stations are underwater. Entire communities are displaced, and if the waters continue to rise, they will be displaced again.”
According to UNOCHA, more than 908,000 people have been affected by heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, of whom 620,000 people need immediate humanitarian assistance.
Late last month President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in the flood-affected areas.