The Commissioner of Mvolo County, Rubben Amaai Majok, has issued a renewed appeal for urgent humanitarian intervention after torrential floods devastated communities in Greater Yeri Payam, leaving hundreds of families displaced and basic services crippled.
According to the Commissioner, the flooding has severely hit Yeri and Lessi, forcing families to flee their homes in search of higher ground, while others have migrated to neighboring areas for safety.
Schools have been submerged, disrupting children’s education, and health facilities have been cut off, making it nearly impossible for medical services to reach affected residents.
“Greater Yeri Payam has been hit by severe flooding, displacing hundreds of our people. Families are on the move, children are out of classrooms, and health services cannot reach communities in need,” Majok said.
He added that “Our people, especially women and children, are in dire need of medicine, life-saving drugs, food, and non-food items. We cannot afford silence in the face of this tragedy.”
Among the displaced is Martha John, a mother of four who sought refuge on higher ground after her home was washed away.
“We left with nothing. The water came too fast, and all we could save were our children,” she said, holding her youngest child in her arms. “Now we sleep outside in the cold without food or blankets. I don’t know how long we can survive like this.”
For James Peter, a secondary school student in Yeri, the disaster means an abrupt end to his education as they are waiting four national examination.
“Our school is under water. Books are destroyed, and classes have stopped. I fear my future is sinking with the floods,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the Sub chief, an elder in Lessi, warned that the crisis is not just about water but survival itself.
“Our crops are gone, our homes are gone, and now our children are sick. We have no medicine and no food. If help does not come soon, we will lose more lives than the floods have already taken,” he said.
The crisis in Mvolo is part of a broader national disaster. A recent UN report revealed that more than 1.6 million people across South Sudan are facing displacement and food insecurity due to flooding in 2025.
Western Equatoria State, including Mvolo and Nagero counties, has emerged among the worst-hit areas, with roads, bridges, and farms submerged.
Humanitarian experts warn that the combination of flooding, displacement, and loss of farmland could deepen the already fragile food security situation in the country.
In a call for action, Majok urged national authorities, international humanitarian partners, and local organizations to prioritize Mvolo in their emergency response plans.
“Our communities are hanging on by a thread. We hope for the best, but what we need right now is urgent, practical support. Yeri and Lessi cannot be left behind as the rest of the nation moves forward,” he said.
For now, displaced families continue to shelter in temporary areas, waiting for relief. As the rains persist, the Commissioner’s message is clear: without urgent aid, Greater Yeri Payam community risks being swept into a deeper humanitarian crisis.
