Floods in Lakes State, Rumbek East County, Displace Thousands, Threaten Education, Health and WASH Services
Despite being the lowest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa stands as one of the region’s most susceptible to the effects of climate change. The continent’s communities frequently find themselves at the forefront of climate-induced challenges, including severe weather phenomena, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods. These environmental changes jeopardize food security, disrupt ecosystems, and undermine economic stability, while simultaneously exacerbating issues of displacement and migration, and intensifying the risk of conflict over increasingly scarce resources.
The recent floods have had a profound impact on South Sudan, particularly affecting the operations of ACROSS’s Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. In September, heavy rains led to the displacement of more than 240 beneficiaries who were receiving training in various skills, including Tailoring, Bakery, Auto-Mechanics, Carpentry, and others across six training centers. Additionally, the Rumbek Integrated Community Development (RICD) project, which serves over 18,000 beneficiaries, has also been significantly impacted by the adverse weather conditions.
The consequences of the flooding extend beyond the immediate disruption of training programs, as they have severely compromised the livelihoods and food security of communities in ACROSS’s operational areas. Regions such as Paloc, Thonaduel, and Atiaba Payams, along with parts of Panawac and the Rumbek East headquarters, have experienced extensive damage. The floods have devastated homes, marketplaces, farmlands, and grazing lands, affecting over 230,000 individuals and leading to widespread displacement and vulnerability.
As a result of these disasters, many residents are now facing critical challenges related to food insecurity, inadequate shelter, and heightened risks of disease outbreaks. The situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and long-term recovery strategies to support the affected populations. Addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts to restore livelihoods, improve access to essential services, and enhance community resilience in the face of future environmental shocks.
A considerable number of mud-built structures have collapsed, leading to homelessness and inadequate sanitation for many people. The flooding has also left livestock without available grazing land. The swift rise in water levels has caused the Barnam River to overflow, resulting in severe disruption of livelihood activities in the area.
Together with Hon. Mangar Machuol, the Commissioner of Rumbek East County, ACROSS is urging for humanitarian aid to support both those who have been impacted and those who remain at risk. The pressing needs identified include medical assistance, shelter, protective services, food supplies, and essential non-food items.
