JUBA, South Sudan (HPD) — The South Sudanese government said at least 2 million people have been affected by heavy flooding since the beginning of this year, with many fleeing in search of dry land. .
This West African country of 12 million people is battling floods as it continues to recover from five years of civil war and inter-community violence.
“Eight of South Sudan’s 10 states are currently flooded, and more than two million people have been internally displaced and have lost their livelihoods,” Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said over the weekend.
The United Nations humanitarian agency has pointed out that the most affected states are Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap, Unity and Western Equatoria, and that floods threaten some IDP camps.
Makuei warned that climate refugees could become a new normal.
Meanwhile, food insecurity in South Sudan already affects almost 65% of the population, according to the authorities.