Rising floodwaters in Twic East County in Jonglei State have led to a clean water shortage and poor sanitation, local officials and residents said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj over the weekend, the county commissioner Deng Mabeny, decried the deteriorating health situation saying locals have been forced to consume untreated floodwaters for survival.
“Boreholes are either destroyed or submerged in floodwaters. For instance, in Panyagoor town, only three boreholes are left operational out of 15. The rest are damaged while those in other areas like Pakeer, Nyuak, and Paliou are stranded in floodwaters,” he said. “65,000 residents in parts of the county only rely on untreated floodwaters and latrines have also collapsed.”
The commissioner appealed for a clean water supply and provision of sanitation equipment, warning that the health situation could worsen if residents cannot meet their sanitation needs.
For his part, Chol Leek, the county health director, advised residents to treat water before consumption to safeguard their health.
“Most latrines have collapsed and those cannot be accessed. We fear that when floodwaters recede there will be disease outbreaks. For now, the situation is better because water tablets are being distributed but we are worried about people along the Jonglei Canal. So, we advise them to boil water,” he said.
Monica Aluel, a woman leader in Panyagoor, called authorities to install more water points.
“In our area, there is no borehole. One has to cross to the town center and wait for hours to get just a jerrycan of 20 liters. So we had to use these floodwaters for domestic purposes. We appeal for more boreholes,” Aluel added.
Two weeks ago, the youths in Panyagoor voluntarily mobilized to repair damaged parts of a dyke, which protects the town from floods.