By Alan Clement
Authorities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) have urged flood-affected communities to move at least 100 meters away from riverbanks to enable permanent dyke construction, as waters continue to rise across the region.
Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola made the appeal during a joint flood assessment visit with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) team in Pibor town on Tuesday. He emphasized that relocation is not only a protective measure but a necessary step toward long-term flood mitigation.
“We are committed to engaging local communities to relocate and create space for permanent dykes, which will provide a sustainable solution to these devastating floods,” Gola told reporters in a statement.
According to the assessment, more than 14,000 households have been severely affected, with over 70,000 people displaced across six counties with farmlands submerged, raising concerns over food insecurity and economic vulnerability in the region.
A statement from the Administrative Area’s press unit stated that while temporary dyke construction has helped reduce some impacts, officials and humanitarian partners warned that rising water levels continue to pose serious risks. Gola commended IOM’s role in the emergency response but stressed the need for durable infrastructure and proactive planning.
“We cannot rely on short-term fixes alone. Permanent dykes will protect our communities for generations, but we need space and cooperation to make that happen,” the Chief Administrator stated in a statement.
The Administrator reaffirmed his government’s continued work with humanitarian partners and local leaders to minimize the effects of flooding and safeguard livelihoods and also called on development agencies to support relocation efforts and invest in long-term resilience strategies.