Over the past few weeks, heavy rain has led to catastrophic flooding that has affected more than 700,000 people across South Sudan. Several states are experiencing the worst floods recorded since 1962. Homes, farmlands, and businesses are being swept away and thousands are fleeing to either the capital city or to neighboring communities on higher ground. Climate change is likely to blame for this unrelenting flood period in South Sudan, where four out five people are living in “absolute poverty.”
Rockflower partner, Save Society Foundation is located in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan. SSF works with marginalized communities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, women, youth, and people with disabilities, to provide a better standard of living through economic transformation, improved health, quality education and promotion of peace, conflict mitigation and democracy. Michael Ariamba, Executive Director of SSF has been updating us on the nationwide devastation caused by the recent floods.
“Most of the victims are women and children...some 200 women with their children are taking refuge in their relatives’ houses/homes and they need basic needs such as shelter, blankets, cooking utensils, soaps, mosquito nets and plastic sheets.
These women and girls, some of them need to be trained in entrepreneurship skills...to support what they are trying to do on their own in market places in Juba to help their children and also pay for their children’s school fees. This will sustain them while awaiting relief foods that can be seen as a quick solution to rescue them and their families from their dire situations.”
Food insecurity in South Sudan has been furthered by an increase in conflict within the nation. The movement of people to higher ground has caused conflict between communities, fighting for their own preservation. This has increased the scarcity of food and complicated the ability of intervention by humanitarian aid organizations. Some communities have chosen to relocate to the capital city, with some making a seven day trek to safety. “Women, children, and elderly people arrived exhausted and hungry,” said Mr. Jamal, who is the interim UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country.
Climate change is undoubtedly affecting the entire world, but East Africa is facing particularly disastrous weather conditions, and impoverished nations like South Sudan are struggling to keep their citizens alive. South Sudan is facing an alternating cycle of both flood and drought that could leave them without agriculture. In eight of the nation’s ten states, the flooding has caused livestock to drown, and vital crops such as sorghum and millet to be destroyed. Since August of this year the cost of food has risen by 15%, leaving more than 60% of its population suffering from severe hunger.”
Right now, South Sudan is in a dire situation. Rockflower is working to channel more funding to SSF as they work to aid their community and provide basic necessities. At the same time they continue to teach entrepreneurial skills to women in order to economically empower them through this difficult time. Our partners are seen as beacons of hope in their communities, and when disaster strikes, people look to them for support. We plan on providing additional funding to SSF, but need your help to raise this immediate assistance. We would greatly appreciate any donation to Rockflower at this time so that we may support our partners on the frontlines of these natural disasters.
