“We are in a terrible situation. All the shelters are flooded with water. Getting firewood for cooking is very difficult and we are finding it very hard to move between the town and the displacement camp.”
Peter Gatjuat Kuol’s experience is shared by hundreds of thousands of people across Unity whose lives have been devastated by the worst flooding in 60 years. Homes, health facilities, water sources, schools and markets have been submerged, preventing people from accessing essential services and exacerbating the existing vulnerability of communities.
A fresh deluge at the weekend cut off the main road linking the airport, town, and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan base, making it impossible for community members and peacekeepers to move.
The Mission’s engineering contingent comprising of peacekeepers from Pakistan immediately responded by deploying heavy equipment and water pumps with the assistance of IOM.
“We are working hard to pump the water out on both sides of the road as well as securing and rebuilding the dykes to secure access to the town and airport and to try and prevent further damage to nearby homes,” explained Lt. Col. Hameed Akbar, the commanding officer of the Pakistan military engineering unit in Bentiu.
BENTIU - “The same situation happened last month near the dumpsite. The water level was higher than this, but we managed to pump it out and control the flow along the road and airfield. I’m confident we can do it again.”
Residents are grateful for the help during this difficult time.
“UNMISS and the humanitarians are doing all they can to help us. They are working day and night to protect important areas from the flooding,” said Peter Gatjuat Kuol.
He appealed to the government and humanitarian agencies to provide more assistance for communities across the state who have been heavily affected by flooding, particularly in Panyijiar, Guit, Mayiendit, Leer and Mayom counties.
“All our crops have been destroyed by the floods. We have no food to eat. Our cattle have nowhere to go for grazing as the whole area is occupied by water,” said Albino Gieng Bol, a resident of Rubkona town.
“For us, as peacekeepers, we are trying to help the local community as much as possible. We will make sure the road is usable again so that people can move between their homes and town and so that UNMISS and humanitarian agencies can continue to support those in need,” said Lt. Col. Hameed Akbar.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
