OLD FANGAK, Jonglei State — Saturday, 31 August
Northern Jonglei has been overwhelmed by severe flooding, with Old Fangak County reportedly submerged after uncontrollable floodwaters surged on Saturday night. The deluge has caused mass displacement and the loss of valuable property, compounding a crisis that local youth and volunteers have battled since 2020.
Community sources say water levels rose with unprecedented force, breaching defences and pushing well above existing levees around the county headquarters. While residents had ring-banked the town as a protective measure, heavy downpours in recent days have lifted river and swamp levels, worsening conditions and forcing more civilians to flee surrounding areas.
The local response has also been strained by ongoing conflict. Many young people who would normally reinforce flood defences are reportedly on the front line in Tonga and New Fangak County, engaged in clashes with government forces, leaving fewer hands available for sandbagging and evacuations.
In recent months, the county has also endured deadly bombardments attributed to the regime in Juba. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) protested after military helicopters allegedly struck one of its largest health facilities in Fangak about three months ago, accusing authorities of targeting civilians.
Local NGOs are conducting urgent evacuations to safer ground, but the situation remains dire. Many humanitarian organisations are said to have relocated their bases following the earlier attack on the town centre, hampering relief operations for the population that has remained. With waters now overtopping sections of the levee, some residents doubt community teams will be able to pump water out fast enough to save the town.
The flooding is part of a broader emergency across the Greater Upper Nile region, particularly affecting Unity State and Jonglei State. Immediate assistance—boats, shelter, food, medical supplies, fuel for pumps, and reinforced earthworks—is urgently needed to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods.
