Communities in South Sudan prepare for floods
Rural communities in the Nile basin in South Sudan suffer floods that destroy homes and livelihoods. MAF flew the partner network Nile Basin Discourse into an affected community to prepare people for the rainy season.
In 2022 a severe flood displaced almost 30,000 people and washed away the bridge over the Mori River, blocking the main road to Juba. In September 2023 rivers burst their banks in three administrative regions, displacing more than 3,000 people. By the end of the month a further 1,530 people – more than 500 households – had to leave their homes. Contaminated water sources threatened health, schools closed and further infrastructure was destroyed.
Since 2012 Nile Basin Discourse has been working in South Sudan to help communities better understand and manage water and natural resources. The network brings together hundreds of organisations working on environmental protection, agriculture, energy, livelihoods and poverty reduction.
Last year MAF flew a team, including environmental and social specialist Patricia Gibril Ali, to Mundri. The town lies in the Bahr al-Jabal basin, one of the major basins that feed into the Nile. "We came to inform the community and raise awareness of early warning signs of flooding," Patricia explains. "We are also planning to set up a hydrometric measuring station." The visit is one of several measures supporting the community in preparing for such events.
"We thank MAF for their work and their partnership in our programmes," she says. "Without MAF it would not have been possible to come here – especially when the political situation in the country is difficult."
