Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have evacuated more than 1,000 residents from Old Fangak, Jonglei State, after the collapse of a dyke on Saturday left the town submerged.
Lony Diang Top Buom, an MSF staff member living in Old Fangak, said local dyke watchers had earlier that day issued urgent calls for community assistance to repair a leaking section. However, just two hours later, the dyke broke, unleashing a torrent of water.
“Everyone left immediately, running in all directions, most towards their homes to evacuate their families,” Buom said.
Atsuhiko Ochiai, MSF deputy head of mission for South Sudan, said she had to immediately mobilize a team from Toch to help save lives despite the risks.
“We don’t usually move by boat at night in these areas due to safety risks, but we had to prioritize saving lives that were in imminent danger,” Ochiai stated.
By Monday, the global charity had evacuated 1,000 people, including vulnerable women and children, to Toch and Paguir, nearby towns less affected by flooding.
MSF staff living in the community recounted harrowing experiences as floodwaters surged through homes. Many residents were forced to take refuge on rooftops and dykes, waiting for rescue.
“I saw families struggling against the rising waters, their biggest fear being the safety of their children,” says Malik Nhial Puok Nyakun, a member of MSF staff and resident of Old Fangak.
“Many of us left our beds, our belongings, our homes, just to carry the little ones to the dyke and wait for rescue boats. I left with nothing except my family. Everything else is now under water.”
For those remaining in Old Fangak, fear and uncertainty persist. Residents face rising water levels that threaten their safety. Many have resorted to precarious positions on rooftops and makeshift rafts, or perched atop the dykes as a refuge from the surging flood, hoping for rescue or that the waters will recede.
The flooding crisis in Old Fangak has reached alarming levels, described by locals as the worst they have ever seen. Environmental factors, combined with the region's ongoing instability, have worsened the situation, with flood waters rising daily and significant portions of surrounding villages submerged.
The
community, already vulnerable due to years of conflict, is now grappling with
the devastating impacts of this natural disaster.
“Most of the flooding we’ve seen has been due to heavy rains, but this is the first time the dykes have broken so catastrophically,” Malik adds.
MSF is continuing to assess the situation on the ground to identify the biggest needs. “The main goal is to get people to safety first, then we can assess what kind of assistance they need,” adds Mr Ochiai.
