By Alan Clement
Heavy rainfall, which led to flooding, has submerged several villages in Koch County, displacing thousands of families and forcing vulnerable residents to higher ground, local authorities have confirmed.
Speaking exclusively to No.1 Citizen Daily English Newspaper, Koch County Commissioner David Gatmai confirmed the worsening humanitarian situation in flood-affected communities, describing conditions as dire and calling for urgent intervention.
“Up to now, we have not received any kind of assistance from anyone. We are now just trying to move the people from the submerged areas to higher ground to save them,” Commissioner Gatmai stated.
The Commissioner said torrential rains that began in August and have continued into September have inundated villages in Pakur, Dil, Norbor, Koat, Boaw, Gany, and Mirmir payams. At least 2,056 households, estimated at 12,336 individuals, have been affected.
“The flooding has forced many children, women, the elderly, and even livestock to move to higher areas, including Koch, Kuachlual, Patit, and Thoriat, which are not affected by the waters,” the Commissioner’s office said.
According to the commissioner, an assessment conducted by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in collaboration with local communities revealed that at least 399 vulnerable residents remain trapped in flooded areas, raising fears for their safety.
He appealed to both the Unity State government and humanitarian partners to urgently intervene, noting that the affected communities are in dire need of medicine, food, shelters, fishing nets, and other non-food items to help them survive and regain resilience.
“I have already filed a report detailing the extent of the damage and the urgent needs of our people. I’m now waiting for a response from the state authorities. What we need is coordinated relief to protect the displaced and restore essential services,” Gatmai emphasized.
The crisis in Koch County mirrors a broader pattern of climate-induced displacement across South Sudan. According to a recent update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 270,000 people have been affected by flooding in Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria states.
The situation has been compounded by a significant reduction in humanitarian funding, which has strained emergency response efforts nationwide. With the rains expected to persist, humanitarian agencies warn that the situation could worsen, threatening lives, livelihoods, and food security in Koch and beyond.
As floodwaters continue to rise, pressure mounts on government institutions and aid agencies to deliver timely relief and prevent further loss of life.