Jonglei State’s Ayod County has been hit by severe floods forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes to seek safety in dry areas amidst their already grim humanitarian situation.
The inundation comes barely weeks after the county authorities appealed for support to tackle the looming floods and warned that large swaths of the county could be inhabitable.
Several of the displaced Ayod residents said they are now reduced to living in precarious conditions.
An elderly woman, Rebecca Nyanwut, said all their livelihoods have been destroyed by the floods.
“Our problem is floods and the areas of Goa, Pagil, Wau, Pagoang, Kwac-Deng, Mogoag, Pajiek, and even parts of Ayod town have been overrun by the floods,” she lamented. “Our livelihoods have been destroyed and we have no food to eat. Even if you have something to cook, there is no space because it keeps raining.”
Another resident, Chuol Pow Paan, appealed for aid.
“Livestock, including cows and goats, are dying in floods, the water level keeps increasing and our crops are destroyed so we have nothing to eat,” he grieved. “We want all well-wishers to come to our rescue.”
Meanwhile, Ayod County Commissioner James Chuol Jiek said the local authorities cannot mitigate the flooding and also appealed for help.
“The water is overflowing from the Jonglei Canal and flashfloods from torrential rains have overrun most parts of the county. The areas of Nornya, Pagil, Mogoag, Wau, Khorwai, and many other areas have been evacuated by residents with their livestock,” he reported. “People in Pagoang village are still stranded in floodwaters and do not know where to go. So, the entire county is affected and no place is safe.”
Commissioner Chiul stressed: “We are appealing for humanitarian intervention to address these concerns.”