South Sudan: The EU donates €2 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to flood victims

The European Commission has committed €2 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to individuals impacted by South Sudan’s recent severe floods.

Approximately 40 individuals have died and approximately 750,000 people have been impacted so far. Numerous people were forced to evacuate their homes as a result of flooding in 31 of the country’s 78 counties, including the majority of famine-affected regions.

According to projections, the floods might impact over a million people by the end of the year.

“Severe flooding in various places of South Sudan has aggravated an already precarious humanitarian situation,” stated Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenari.

Prior to the floods, almost 70% of South Sudan’s population need immediate humanitarian aid.

Thousands of people are suffering from famine-like circumstances, and malnutrition is reaching epidemic proportions. The emergency funds will be utilised to meet those affected’s urgent needs.

South Sudan’s floods serve as a timely reminder of the need of climate action, particularly in light of the next COP26 conference: “The impacts of climate change are real, and they are here – and vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt.”

The emergency humanitarian money will be routed via the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the EU’s humanitarian partner, and will be used to assist vulnerable communities with life-saving water and sanitation (WASH), shelter, and other non-food essentials.

On 21 October 2021, the United Nations appealed to the international community to provide immediate assistance to South Sudanese impacted by floods, noting that over 750,000 people had been displaced by the country’s worst floods in decades.

Heavy rains and flash floods have resulted in the death of cattle and the devastation of farmlands and buildings, prompting flood-affected residents to seek higher ground.

Not everyone impacted by the floods has yet received humanitarian help. Authorities in northern Unity State have warned of an impending environmental calamity due to the submerged oilfields.