According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), floods have affected over one million people in South Sudan as a result of torrential rains.
The floods have displaced around 271,000 people, forcing them to seek safety on higher ground across much of the country, according to a weekend situation assessment.
According to AFP, OCHA said that heavy rainfall and flooding had rendered 15 vital humanitarian supply routes unusable, preventing relief from reaching affected areas.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, is experiencing one of the worst floods in decades, resulting in widespread devastation, displacement, and serious damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.
Critical humanitarian situation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 58 health institutions in five countries have been swamped, with over 90 others rendered inaccessible.
About 15 major roads, including those leading to the capital Juba, where tertiary health services are located, have also been closed.
The WHO also stated that the floods have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan, which presently houses roughly 800,000 refugees and returnees escaping armed conflict in neighboring Sudan.
The UN health agency reported two probable cholera cases in Renk County, in the northern Upper Nile State, which is home to 60% of refugees and returnees.
State of vulnerability.
Malaria infections are also increasing, with over 120,000 cases and 31 possible deaths reported as of September 29.
The WHO also documented 55 snakebite cases in the last five weeks.
“People are in a heightened state of vulnerability due to multiple shocks,” said Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO representative in South Sudan, adding that the organization is collaborating with the health ministry and other partners to ensure access to basic health care services.