Flood victims in Duk Panyang County of South Sudan’s Jonglei State are in dire need of humanitarian assistance after heavy rains destroyed homes, a local official said.

John Chatim, the county commissioner told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that about 42,751 locals are homeless and without food and healthcare services after floods destroyed their livelihoods.

“For houses, over 80,000 were destroyed. Those locals have shifted to higher ground in the surrounding villages,” he added.

The local official also pointed out that malaria and diarrhea cases are on the rise among the locals especially the children.

Commissioner Chatim is appealing to aid agencies operating in the country to provide relief aid.