More than 500 households and 15,000 people have been displaced in Unity State due to flooding caused by the heavy rains that cause River Nam to burst its banks into residents areas. The river runs through the heart of the town of Bentiu which has aggravated the situation.

The local government relief agency says that about 15,000 people are said to be displaced and are currently taking refuge in different locations within Unity state with their relatives.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, one of the flood victim who left his house in Dar Al Salam in the residential area of Bentui said that since they were displaced from their homes, nobody has given them any assistance. “We have now left our home full of water and property washed away. We are here with no help “ he said.

He further complained that the caretaker governor visited them but did not bring any assistance.

“Many of our children and the elderly are sick and suffering from watery diarrhea and other water-related diseases,” he added.

Another witness who visited the affected areas said that that places are completed abandoned:“what I saw with my eyes, the area is completely deserted with only water flowing,” he said.

William Kuol Gai, director of RRC in Unity state visited to the affected areas on Thursday during the Eid Al Fitr. He confirmed that 500 households and 15,000 people are displaced.

The officer called for a humanitarian’s emergency meeting on Friday with their humanitarian counterparts working in the state to discuss the way forward on how to help the people.

The officer said that the situation is getting worse with the continual rain in the state, and admitted that no any help has so far reached the flood victims. He pointed it out that it is because assessment was not yet done: “NGOS cannot help without making assessment of the claims , so I called the emergency meeting,” he said.

William Kuol further said that the victims need tents and medicines and other assistance. “Displaced people are suffering from malaria and other water-related diseases,” he confirmed.

News photo by Nafeer Sudan