S. Sudan aims to raise 600,000 USD to support response to floods

JUBA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan requires over 600,000 US dollars to provide emergency aid to victims of flooding, the country's disaster management agency said on Friday.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Risk Management predicted likelihood of an escalating flooding crisis in many parts of South Sudan amid torrential rains.

Gatweech Peter Kulang, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Risk Management, said urgent funding is needed to buy boats, tents, mosquito nets and blankets to assist communities living in the flood-prone regions of Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Unity.

South Sudan's Meteorological Department warned last week that several regions in the country are at risk of experiencing heavy rains as the rain season peaks by August this year.

"We are seeking an emergency fund to procure and preposition emergency supplies such as mosquito nets, tents, blankets and drainage tools. We need to act before it unfolds into a national disaster," said Kulang.

"The ministry is encouraging all government sectors and humanitarian actors to share their contingency plans in the hot spot areas to improve coordination, reduce cost, consolidate efforts and synergy to avoid duplication," he added.

South Sudan is prone to recurrent floods every year in the rainy season, between May and October, which threatens the livelihoods of a huge population.

Last year, torrential rains forced over 100,000 people from their homes and destroyed valuable property in central and northern parts of the world's youngest republic. Enditem