An estimated number of over 70,000 people have been affected and displaced by devastating floods in Fangak area, compelling appeals for humanitarian assistance.Fangak is a designated headquarters of the proposed Western Bieh state in Jonglei region and is one of the low lying areas. It is usually affected by seasonal floods and heavy rains, resulting in massive displacements of its inhabitants and their properties.
This year’s displacement, according to the report obtained from Thomas Jenay, Leader of Fangak South County Youth group, Old Fangak, was caused by on and off or the recurrent heavy rainfalls which started in the middle of April 2016 in the County. These heavy and frequent rainfalls, he added, accumulates water before later mixing with rivers water (Nile & Zeraf Rivers) and submerged residential areas.
As a result, the youth leader further added, thousands of people from the area have been displaced and are in a dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
He identified the most affected areas as Mareang, Toch, Old Fangak, Pulpam, Pagiur, Pulita and Barboi with massive displacements of about 19,000, 18,000, 15,000, 13,000, 8,000, and 5,000 respectively; almost the whole county is affected.
“The numbers of people affected are displaced to both higher grounds nearby the flooded villages as well as to other far distant locations but within the county. So, currently the situation of the floods affected and displaced people in Fangak County of Jonglei State are so terrible and very needy, he explains.
He continued: “therefore, we call upon all Humanitarian Agencies including UN Agencies; International Organizations, theirs Partners and National Organizations to swiftly intervene as soon as possible, in order to arrest this humanitarian catastrophe.
“The displaced people’s priority needs are NFIs (mosquito nets, plastic sheets for sheltering, buckets, saucepans/cooking items, fishing twins/gears, food aids and medicines. This is an urgent call for all UN agencies, International and National Organizations to come swiftly assess and bring in the above mentioned emergency none food/food items”.