In recent weeks, generalized floods have wrapped large parts of the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity in the north of the country.
The agency’s representative in South Sudan, Marie-Helene Veyney, said that “if the floods continue, it is likely that up to 400,000 people will be displaced by the end of the year, exceeding the levels of flooding of floods observed in 2024”.
The situation is expected to be at its worst between September and October and threatens to “cut entire communities, exacerbate hunger and increase protection risks, particularly for women and girls,” added Verney.
For several years, Sudan of the South has faced an ongoing humanitarian crisis due to underdevelopment, disasters and the conflict that has displaced many communities. Recurrent floods have exacerbated this displacement, destroyed homes and threatened life throughout the country.
“Households, schools, health facilities, farming lands and pastures have flooded,” said the UNHCR representative, “devastating cattle and flooding of safe sources and latrines, which have worsened sanitation and the greatest health risks.”
Stagnant water, combined with limited access to safe drinking water, is increasing the threat of more disease outbreaks on the in progress, which had already affected more than 12,000 internal displaced people (IDP) and 3,100 refugees at the end of August.
The UN continues to provide help
In 2025, UNHCR, in collaboration with the authorities of southern Sudan and UN partners, has continued helping to save lives, including cash, emergency shelters and plastic sheets to 150,000 of the most vulnerable people affected by floods.
In the last five years, a job has been carried out to mitigate the impacts of the floods when reinforcing the dikes, the preposition of supplies, the support to the livelihoods and help the displaced communities, including the internal displaced.
UNHCR has requested more funds to carry out its work that saves lives. As of July 31, he had only received one third of the almost 300 million required to protect and help displaced persons and local host communities in the country.
In Unity State, which is 70 percent under water, UNHCR has significantly reduced operations due to financing deficit, leaving thousands of people in a more precarious situation.
Support for climate resistance
To mitigate the in progress in South Sudan, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) recently signed a climate resilience project of $ 9.9 million in South Sudan with the Ministry of Water Resources.
Unops continues to support efforts to strengthen climate resilience and help communities affected by flooding and refugee accommodation in South Sudan.