By Chol D. Johnson
The Commissioner of Fangak County in Jonglei State, John Kuol Gai, has urged the residents in the area to relocate to high ground as flood surges.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Kuol expressed that despite several calls for early relocation, some of the residents resist.
He urged the residents to move to high ground, citing that the water level continued to increase.
The commissioner reiterated that despite several calls on residents to relocate, some continue to stay in flooded areas.
“There is no relocation; everybody is living on his own,” he said.
He added that some of the residents continue to come to New Fangak,and also some people are proceeding to Malakal using boats.
He underscored that due to flooding, movement continues to be hard, including the provision of essential items to the affected population.
The commissioner revealed that due to flooding, many households have been subjected to suffering, as they lack food, shelter, and other things.
“So, there is really a severe situation in Pangak, and people are really scattered; people are really suffering,” he said.
“The only assistance that has come in was only 400 bags that I was telling you about, and the assistance from the government,” he said.
He noted that the Jonglei state government has given 100 sacks of corn as part of support to the affected communities from the Fangak area.
He said local doctors were raising complaints about a high rate of diarrhea, vomiting, and skin diseases.
“There is no school, not even the hospital, and even the shelters are all affected. We need to hide around. All these were affected by the flood,” he said.
The commissioner said that heavy rainfall and rising River Nile water levels have submerged several areas across the country. With rains ongoing, flooding is expected to persist in the coming weeks.
As of 1 October, an estimated 639,225 people have been affected by flooding across 26 counties in six states, with Jonglei and Unity accounting for over 88 percent of the caseload.
Communities report loss of farmland, livelihoods, homes, and access to essential services, including schools and health facilities, with at least 121 health facilities having been impacted.