Four years of intense flooding in South Sudan, exacerbated by the accelerating climate crisis, have destroyed houses, crops, and cut off access to roads. 

For this month’s INSIDER, Emmanuel Loboka, a member of JRS South Sudan’s communications team, shared his experience visiting with people in Maban.

The flooding started in full force in July 2021 after the water from the 2020 rainy season did not recede. Now, about two-thirds of the country is under water. In addition to devastating destruction, the floods have also contaminated water throughout Maban increasing the risk of disease.

Loboka visited Maban in October, a time of year in South Sudan usually marked by bountiful harvests and more fish in the water. In the wake of the flooding, October in Maban looks different now.

Every year, on October 10th, the community gathers to dance and listen to music in celebration of St. Daniel Comboni’s feast day. Loboka met with Fr. Francis Njuguna, S.J., the JRS Pastoral Coordinator, in Maban to understand how to meet the community’s needs. Fr. Francis said they would continue preparing music and dances.

“At such times…one of the ways we can accompany people in their suffering is to create a sense of normality, focus on mind and body on other hopeful, creative and enjoyable things,” Emmanuel wrote.

While walking together, Fr. Francis and Loboka encountered many people grappling with damage from the floods. Many people’s homes were ruined from the water, so they have set up tents clad in plastic.

Loboka described what he saw. “Women and young people were out in the water with mosquito nets trying to catch the fish that had washed in with the flood water.”  

They met one mother who was visibly upset. “She was tired of the water, the mess and the misery.” Loboka said. The plastic sheets she had been using to protect her family from the flooding were damaged.

In that moment, the woman needed a space where she could express her emotions and frustrations. “Nothing had immediately resolved, but, for a brief time, she had felt heard and seen,” Loboka said.

South Sudan hosts millions of people who were forced to flee their homes in neighboring countries. The stress of economic strife, violence, and food insecurity are now only compounded by climate change and prolonged situations of displacement.

The flooding has impacted the host community in Maban especially hard and JRS is uniquely situated as one of the few organizations in the area that provide support to both the refugees in Maban and the host community.

“The little that we can do, done with the whole of our hearts, people will appreciate,”
Loboka said.

The water has cut off road access to the local Catholic Church, so the JRS office has turned into a makeshift place to gather for mass.

“These are difficult days we are experiencing as a team, but with them comes the call to dig deep and orient evermore outwards in service to those most in need.” JRS works to provide lifesaving programs that address emergency, educational, mental and physical health, and livelihoods concerns throughout Maban.

“We accompany not only by giving but by listening, mobilizing, and referring and supporting co-ordination and a joint up response.” Loboka said.

“These are difficult days we are experiencing as a team, but with them comes the call to dig deep and orient evermore outwards in service to those most in need.”