Hundreds of flood-displaced stranded in Malakal, lack food

Hundreds of people displaced by the floods in parts of Jonglei state are stranded in Malakal town of the neighboring Upper Nile State without food and shelter.

Hundreds of people displaced by the floods in parts of Jonglei state are stranded in Malakal town of the neighboring Upper Nile State without food and shelter.

In Jonglei, the level of floodwaters continues to rise, forcing tens of thousands out of their homes. 

“Here the situation becomes worse every day. People are suffering. Over the last few days, more floods hit the area and it affected 1,00 households. Every day people leave the area and go to Malakal,” Muonyngok Abiel Arop, the coordinator for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Pigi County, Jonglei, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday evening.  

While speaking to Radio Tamazuj Friday, Ajak Wer Lual, the Secretary-General for Upper Nile State, said hundreds of the flood-displaced started arriving in Malakal town in early November, and are stranded without food and shelter.  

“Our humanitarian situation is very bad because of massive displacement from the Eastern Nuer and northern areas of Jonglei, especially Fangak and Pigi. I witness that every day, we receive 70 to 1,00 people. Some move on to Paloch, Renk, or the IDP camp but the rest are stranded here at the port,” he explained. 

Ajak added, “They do not have food and shelters. They are suffering especially the children. So, they need to be assisted by the aid agencies.”

For his part, James Majok, the deputy director for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Upper Nile, appealed to the government and aid agencies in the country to intervene, saying the displaced could be forced to seek assistance in neighboring Sudan if they get no support. 

“People have been fleeing to Sudan because of hunger. Those coming from Jonglei told us that they are fleeing the floods and communal violence. But as they arrive, they get nothing. There are hundreds of them. Only the first group of 64 people got help. So we want support,” he said. 

According to reports, the floods have displaced more than 400,000 people from their homes in parts of Jonglei State since July.