UNHCR Warns Flooding Threatens 1M People in South Sudan

(MENAFN) Severe flooding in South Sudan has already impacted 273,000 people this year, and the situation is set to worsen, with over 1 million expected to be affected in the coming months, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

"South Sudan is once again experiencing some very severe flooding, and unfortunately, mostly in parts of the country that have been hit by renewed fighting in the past six months," Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR's representative in South Sudan, said during a press briefing in Geneva on Friday.

Verney highlighted that the number of people impacted by the floods has surged, with roughly 100,000 displaced in August alone.

"If this trend continues, we're looking at more than 1 million people affected during the next few months, of which 400,000 will be displaced," she warned, noting that this year’s rainfall has been heavier than in 2024.

The flooding has submerged vast swaths of Jonglei and Unity states, destroying farmland, homes, schools, medical facilities, and livestock. Verney emphasized that the deluge is compounding existing challenges, including ongoing conflict, food insecurity, and a cholera outbreak that has already infected approximately 90,000 people.

In response, the UNHCR is prioritizing aid for up to 150,000 affected individuals, providing cash support, emergency shelter, and essential supplies for those whose homes have been destroyed.

However, Verney warned that more international support is urgently needed, stressing, "Without additional funding, our ability to provide shelter, protection, and clean water will remain very limited."

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