'This is the time for swift, preventative action.'
In South Sudan, up to 2.5 million South Sudanese people are beginning to face displacement and devastation as water levels in Lake Victoria continue to rise.
The water levels in the lake are higher than they were during the catastrophic floods of 2014-15 that displaced 1.5 million people.
Even in the most optimistic scenario, UNOCHA predicts that at least 600,000 could be impacted.
Growing risk of disaster
In South Sudan, up to 2.5 million South Sudanese people are beginning to face displacement and devastation as water levels in Lake Victoria continue to rise.
The water levels in the lake are higher than they were during the catastrophic floods of 2014-15 that displaced 1.5 million people.
Even in the most optimistic scenario, UNOCHA predicts that at least 600,000 could be impacted.
Help us protect vulnerable communities from the devastating impact of flooding. Your support can make a difference.
Why is this happening?
Lake Victoria has absorbed a large amount of the water from the March-May floods, which has devastated parts of Kenya.
With water from Lake Victoria overwhelming dams in Kampala and moving up the White Nile, coupled with heavy rains, the threat of severe flooding is imminent. The areas being directly impacted include Jonglei, Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and Lakes states.
This year’s flood predictions will likely worsen food insecurity and further restrict access to safe water and adequate sanitation facilities. This will be a devastating additional challenge for people who are already among the world’s most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Communities at highest risk
The areas most vulnerable to flooding include Unity State, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Upper Nile. These communities are already issuing alerts, urging families to relocate to higher ground to escape the rising waters.
In Northern Bahr El Ghazal, the authorities reported that an estimated 102,000 people have already been affected by floods in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. These include more than 4,930 people in Aweil West County, 53,072 people in Aweil East and nearly 37,532 people in Aweil South County. The County Commissioner of Aweil South reported that close to 90% of the land area in the county is submerged.
The situation is dire, and swift, preventative action is essential to mitigate the impact.
Image credits and information
Our work in South Sudan
Christian Aid has been operating in the Sudan and the current South Sudan since the 1970s and we opened our field office in Juba, South Sudan, in 2008.
Our response
In collaboration with our local partners and as a key member of the ACT Alliance, Christian Aid is proactively working to reduce the risk of flooding in South Sudan.
With water from Lake Victoria overwhelming dams in Kampala and moving up the White Nile, coupled with heavy rains, the threat of severe flooding is imminent.
To prepare for the worst-case scenario, our partners are:
- Raising awareness: Educating communities about flood risks and safety measures.
- Supporting displaced communities: Assisting higher-ground areas to accommodate displaced people and reduce potential conflicts.
- Reinforcing defences: Strengthening community dykes and other flood defences.
Christian Aid commits around half of its total annual income to humanitarian work, reaching millions of people every year.
Image credits and information
Image credits and information
Humanitarian challenges
The flooding threat compounds the existing humanitarian challenges in South Sudan. More than 7.1 million people are already facing hunger and food insecurity, and 2 million are internally displaced due to ongoing conflict.
Since July 2011, when South Sudan gained independence, the nation has faced numerous challenges, making the need for immediate and effective intervention even more critical.
Donations to our Emergency Fund will enable us to provide timely assistance to our local partners in South Sudan and respond to other urgent crises around the world.
