02/09/2025
Humanitarian situation deteriorates as floods hit Akobo’s Alali Payam
September 2, 2025 AKOBO COUNTY
The residents of Alali Payam in Jonglei State’s Akobo County have decried the deteriorating humanitarian situation as floods inundate their villages, leaving homes and farms destroyed.
Alali, located on the eastern outskirts of Akobo Town, lies along the border with Ethiopia, and is largely cut off from the rest of the county by road. In recent years, the area saw an influx of returnees from refugee camps in neighboring Ethiopia amidst an already dire situation.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Alali on Monday night, several residents said they feel neglected and have appealed for aid.
Lily Okongo said they are helpless because the floods have destroyed their livelihoods.
“Our maize and other crops are rotting in water because there is not enough dry ground to store them. We have been cut off for a long time without services, and these floods have only worsened the situation,” he stated. “Our children and the elderly are vulnerable and have no food and no health services. We appeal to the government and aid agencies to come to our aid because we are really suffering.”
Abhang Okongo Deng, a female flood victim, said they feel neglected.
“We are suffering and lack food and medicines,” she stressed. “We are only hurdling on small soil mounds with our children. The floods have destroyed our crops, and we cannot even get firewood for cooking.”
Okongo said the situation has forced several villagers to return to refugee camps and that the entire village could be vacated if the situation continues to deteriorate.
Meanwhile, Philip Omot Jook, the area’s head chief, appealed for aid, saying they lack basic services and are in urgent need of food.
“The entire villages of Baba, Wibura, Dilok, and Wau are submerged in floodwaters,” he stated. “The situation is dire with hundreds of residents suffering without basic services, including food and shelter. We appeal to government and aid agencies to assess the situation and come to our aid.”
James Kueth Makuach, the Akobo County commissioner, said Alali is cut off from the rest of the county and that they have not been able to assess the area.
On his part, Mading Akueth, the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) chairperson, said the humanitarian situation is dire in parts of the state, including Akobo County, due to devastating floods.
“The situation is dire, particularly in the areas of Fangak, Pigi, which are inaccessible and with little information from there,” he said. “We are appealing to all our partners to provide resources for intervention in Pigi, Fangak, Twic East, Duk, and Alali. So partners should come in to provide non-food items to rescue those who are stranded.”
# Radio Tamazuj
