Floods destroyed several homes, displacing at least 460 people in Khorfulus area of Pigi County in South Sudan’s Jonglei State last month, a local official said.

James Biliu Kur, the Executive Director of the defunct Khorfulus County, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the displaced are lacking food and shelter.

“All residents in the areas of Wut-Arop, Malualbai, Hai Madrasa and Panam have been displaced to higher ground and schools within the town. They are 460 in total,” Biliu said.

“Cases of malaria and diarrheal diseases are on the rise. We get drinking water directly from Sobat River. In our only health facility, we record about 30 patients daily, but medicines are insufficient,” he added.

Separately, the local official said the humanitarian situation in the county has been exacerbated by an influx of returnees since May.

“From Melut area of Upper Nile State, we have received 1,500 returnees since May. Also, in Wunadol and Wunpei areas, we are hosting 1,400 people displaced by insecurity from Lou Nuer areas and they are in dire need of humanitarian assistance,” he said.      

Biliu urged the government and aid agencies to intervene.

Last month, South Sudan’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) warned that thousands of people displaced by floods and conflict could face serious food shortages if they are not supported.