It has been about seven months since the flood began in the country this year, and an estimated 760,000 people are said to be affected across the country.

However, the humanitarian organisations operating in the country have been responding to the immediate needs of flood-affected people with emergency response relief and community-based support. The report said only about 174,000 people had been reached with shelter and non-food item support as of October 31.

Despite the $10 million approved by the council of ministers in October 2021 for the flood-affected victims, the people are yet to receive the services from the government.

On Tuesday, the minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, Peter Mayen, said a technical procurement committee had been established and they were finalising the award of the contracts to the successful bidders to purchase the needed items for the beneficiaries.

“Currently, the committee has finalised the bid analysis and contracts shall be awarded to successful bidders to supply food and non-food items to the flood victims.”

Apart from providing basic needs to the flood victims, the money was also meant to relocate those who have been submerged in water onto high and dry land. However, it is so saddening to hear that a technical committee was still deciding which companies should be given the contract to purchase and deliver those items.

Imagine, it has been almost two months since the money was approved by the council of ministers to help alleviate the conditions of the victims in flood-affected areas.

Sluggish response                    

In a real sense, it should not have taken more than one week for the items to be delivered to the areas because these people have been living under terrible conditions. They have been persevering in unfavourable conditions where they have no food, shelter, or access to health services.

Despite the terrible conditions, the technical committee is said to be discussing who should be given the contract to supply the items. The bidding of companies has never been an easy task due to differences in conflict of interest, and the whole process might be completed next year. That means the delivery of the services will begin equally next year.

According to the latest update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 760,000 people have been affected by flooding in areas along the Nile and Lol rivers and Sudd marshlands since May. Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states are the worst affected states in the country.

The flooding began in May, and there has not been an emergency service delivered by the government to the flood-affected people. So, the technical committee should work as quickly as possible to ensure that services are delivered to the people who have been under terrible conditions for about seven months since May 2021.