The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) officials in Jonglei State say the humanitarian situation there is dire with about 384,000 people already going hungry due to the combined effects of floods and insecurity.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Michael Mading Akueth, the state RRC chairperson said Jonglei is facing a humanitarian crisis with northern parts of the state worst-hit due to inaccessibility.
“There are about 64,000 households that are affected by floods, both floods, and armed conflicts, and they need an immediate response. WFP (World Food Program) has been doing a great job in the areas of Fangak, Ayod, and even Twic East,” Mading said. “These 64,000 are for the entire nine counties of Jonglei state.”
The RRC official called on the aid agencies operating in the state to scale up support to match food and shelter needs for affected families.
“Our partners are responding now in Ayod, Fangak, and Pigi counties because they are priority areas. We have been faced with problems of dropping food because of limited air access and accessibility issues. However, yesterday, we agreed with WFP to distribute food in Duk. There is already food there but the problem is that there is no partner on the ground,” he said. “Akobo, Uror, and Nyirol’s response is ongoing. In areas with access to the market, we are doing cash intervention. The only challenge is that it takes time to deliver and the food is not enough. So, we are appealing for more support.”
Uror County Commissioner Machot Gatluak Kenyjak said the situation remains dire.
“Floodwaters level is still high. People do not have food in areas on the outskirts of Yuai worst-hit. For example, in the county headquarters of Yuai alone, there are 20,000 people without food. Our crops we destroyed by the floods and up to now we are just hearing that food is coming on the way,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Deng Mabeny of Twic East said while floodwaters are significantly receding in parts of the state, they have no reasons to celebrate.
“The level of water is reducing very much. We are not receiving new agencies and the agencies here are complaining of funding so the drop of water will also mean challenge because boats will not be able to access cut-off areas to deliver services,” he said.