The national Ministry of Health has confirmed that more than 70 health facilities in five states have been submerged, destroyed and their accessibility severed by floods.

Minister of Health Elizabeth Achuei revealed this on Tuesday during her presentation at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (NTLA), where she briefed the lawmakers about the flooding situation and the response to the health emergencies in the country.

Achuei said that the most affected states are Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile Lakes, and Warrap.

According to the minister, over 780,000 people have been affected in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile alone.

“[In] Bentiu and Rubkona, the floods are dangerously high despite the ongoing dyke repair and maintenance work,” she stated, adding, “Unity State, Rubkona and Bentiu town are over 90 per cent submerged.’’

The government and humanitarian communities are working to keep the water at bay to prevent the flood impact, and health partners are also providing basic healthcare services to the affected population in flooded areas.

She revealed that “24 mobile clinics are set up in unity (10), Jonglei (12), Upper Nile (2) and the already existing health facilities in the state.”

As of November 2021, the affected counties in Jonglei State were Ayod, Canal, Pigi, Fangak, Bor South, Twic East, Akobo, and Pibor, with only 27 active health facilities. 278,000 people were affected.

In Unity State, the affected areas are Leer, Mayendit, Panyijiar, Koch, Guit, Rubkona, and Mayom. 18 health facilities have been relocated while 195,145 people are affected.